2008 dates now available!

This program will provide you with information and experiences to assist further development in the important social skills of empathy and communication. Empathy is the ability to have an experience of the other person’s feelings and thoughts and to communicate what you understand. It is an essential ingredient for deepening friendships and relationships. It is the ECS factor!

Participants will be in a supportive group environment where they will:

• practice distinguishing friendship from other types of relationship
• find out the important skills involved in a friendship
• explore feelings within self and others
• practice ‘stepping into the shoes of the other’ and back into your own
• practice using what you understand to decide what to do or say next

The ten sessions will include games, role-playing, software, videos, discussions and a project. The first two sessions will include information for parents and family.

The group is intended for young people (16 to 20 years old) who have Asperger's syndrome. Group size limited to 12 participants. Participant cost for the ten sessions is $320.00 incl. GST. Fee discounts may be negotiated on an indovidual needs basis, according to Aspect policy. Please call Jane Cotter to discuss the options.

Workshop leaders

Noël Boycott is a registered psychologist and speech pathologist. She has expertise in group work and developing social and communication skills with people with Asperger’s.

Jane Cotter is a special educator experienced in both mainstream and special education. She is the Manager of the Aspect School Outreach Service and has had a lot of experience in facilitating social skills programs.

Introduction to the program

At the first session, participants will be introduced to the program. Parents and carers of the participants are invited to attend this first session.

During the first part of the session, the group leaders will provide an introduction to the program and its materials. There will be a calendar of events. There will be a consent form, some information sheets and some assessments to be completed by participants.

The last part of the session is to answer people’s questions and to allow for discussion.

At the second session, participants will start their work on exploring the nature of friendships. Parents and carers of the participants are also invited to attend this second session, but will work as a separate group on ways they can assist the participants.

To apply

Please download the flyer/application form (55KB), complete it and send together with $40 deposit and your report/statement of diagnosis to:

Jane Cotter
Aspect
PO Box 770
Seven Hills NSW 1730

The balance is due at the first session.

Further enquiries

Please call Noël Boycott on 0402 05 8899 or Jane Cotter on 02 8977 8330.

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