creative tools for special needs

menu of services

One to one / family services (60 or 90 minute sessions)

  • Creative and fun activities to enhance play and social communication skills in your home
  • Assistance with learning readiness and attention skill building
  • Parent/caregiver/grandparent/childcare provider-coaching and consultation
  • Behavior management strategies
  • Training of social thinking concepts (e.g. non-verbal cues, perspective taking, flexible thinking, problem solving)
  • Environmental design for increased communication and social opportunities
  • Community resources and referral information
  • Classroom observations for functional support ideas
  • Peer presentations at child’s school to teach learning style differences/answer questions (see below for more details)

Guided Playdates with peers and/or siblings: (60 or 90 minute sessions)
The main focus of this service is to help create meaningful, positive peer experiences for the client as a way to build self confidence and increase social competence. There is an emphasis on increasing pro-social behavior, developing play skills and helping family members to connect with one another. Playdate participants can range from 2-4 children and include peers who are neurotypical or have social challenges similar to the client, the latter to be determined by Socialkraft.

Social thinking groups/classes to enhance peer interaction skills (Community setting varies)
Embedded in the process of creating a work of art together or playing games with one another, there is a social curriculum focusing on flexible thinking, perspective taking and problem solving. The opportunity to practice these critical social thinking skills in a small, supportive, structured environment is designed for social success and creative freedom. Socialkraft will establish a core social thinking vocabulary that clients will use as a foundation for their experiences with others in the group/class setting. Students will create their own “toolbox” of social strategies to help bridge their often concrete way of thinking with that of one that is more dynamic and abstract. Outcomes of the group experience include; increased interaction skills rooted in social thinking, handouts for parents on how to incorporate at home the lessons learned and tons of fun!

Custom-made social/communication support visuals
These powerful tools are beneficial especially for those clients who are proven visual learners. We will work with families and caregivers to develop visual support plans by establishing structured routines and helping with daily transitions. Socialkraft can also help support goals set forth in client’s treatment sessions with other service providers providing a bridge for generalization outside of the therapy setting. Samples of visual supports include Social Stories™, calendars, schedule strips, play scripts, PECS systems, sensory and social thinking based materials.

Activity planning and social supports for birthday parties and holidays
Holidays and celebrations are, at times, overwhelming for all of us. It can be especially challenging for people that have sensory issues or experience difficulty dealing with highly social situations. Socialkraft helps problem solve ways to ease anxiety for the client and help generate ideas for family members in making appropriate adaptations and supports (e.g. visuals/structured activities) during these out of routine events. These strategies will outline social expectations which in turn provide greater understanding and an opportunity for increased engagement.

Classroom/community presentations for peers
It can be challenging for peers of individuals with special needs to understand why and how their classmate or friend may be different from them. Socialkraft can offer people of many ages simple, engaging information to help explain the many diverse learning styles, abilities and ways of human expression. These class/community based discussions are based on the principle that each of our brains works differently which in turn affects how we walk, talk, feel, and play. An age appropriate conversation, playful activities and plenty of time for questions and answers open up the door to greater understanding and acceptance.