Group therapy programs are a fun way for children to meet others and create connections while they learn and develop specific skills.

Our programs can be a one-off session or run over multiple days or weeks. Group programs build on specific skills, such as social, or fine motor skills and engage children through mediums that they enjoy such as craft, board games or Lego.

They are normally broken down into age groups so that the therapy models can be delivered in an age-appropriate format and the children can socialise in relatable peer groups.

All groups are facilitated by either occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, provisional psychologists, or therapy assistants or a combination of these.

See our schedule below to find out about the programs our clinics are delivering during Term 1. Contact the clinic directly for bookings or expressions of interest for future group programs.

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Manly, NSW

Little Oaks Program (early intervention):

• A centre-based program that brings together the benefits of 1:1 therapy with group therapy. The Little Oaks program provides a comprehensive and individualised approach to early intervention facilitated by an experienced and multidisciplinary team trained in the ESDM approach

Hindmarsh, SA

Adult Ladies Cooking Group for women over 20 years with an intellectual disability: Friday fornightly 3-4pm

• Supporting social conversation, ADL and processing goals
• A safe environment for women to form meaningful social connection and develop cooking skills with a high level of support

Adult Exercise Group: Fortnightly on Thursdays 11am

• Enjoyable physical participation that is graded to individuals needs
• An opportunity to connect and socialize meaningfully with others

Village of Women for adult women: date and time TBC

• A safe space for isolated women to connect and explore occupations, leisure activities and multidisciplinary supports

LEGO Club (SACE edition) for high schoolers: Fortnightly Saturdays 9am

• Supportive environment for teens in their senior year of high school to have open conversation, make new connections, socialise and try new things

Teenage Aqua Group for female high schoolers: Fortnightly Friday afternoons at Parks Pool

• An aquatic therapy group to work on physical skills and endurance while engaging in social and play based activities

Head into High School (Super Dorito Team) for year 7’s: Fortnightly on Tuesday after school

• A group to discuss being in the first year of high school (and problem solving together) as well as opportunities for connection and trying new things

Edible Science Group for 13-15 years: Fortnightly Saturday 2:15pm

• Try new things, support each other and work on some longer term projects
• Opportunities to discuss topics including puberty, friendships and independence

Girls Connect for teenage girls (Online): date & time TBC

• Social confidence and scaffolded social experiences group
• Online connection and support group to share interests, ideas, have fun and socialise

Junior Aqua Group for junior primary children: Fortnightly Saturday 2pm at Parks Pool

• Play and physical endurance, conflict resolution and teamwork

Friendship Club for junior primary girls: TBC

• A group during the week for children who have been home-schooled to foster consistent and ongoing social connections with peers
• Activities: chess, collage and board games

Cool Penguins Aqua Group for young adolescents with cerebral palsy: Fortnightly Saturday 2:45pm at Parks Pool

• For children with cerebral palsy diagnosis to engage in play-based stretching and strengthening activities that focus on upper and lower limbs

Dream Team for 9-12 years: Fortnightly Saturday 3:30pm

• Play based environment to connect, try new things and play
• Support and opportunities to build on ideas, collaborate and delight. Some group members have splinting and mobility aids and everyone welcome to talk about their experiences and diagnoses
• All activities in this group are designed to be comfortable and inclusive for wheelchair users.

LEGO Club for 11-14 years: Fortnightly Saturday 10:10am

• Builds social confidence and scaffolded social experiences

Little Explorers for 2.5-4 years: Fortnightly Tuesday (time TBC)

• A play based groups for kids preparing for special options kindy in the next 12 months
• Scaffolded play and community access opportunities

Playgroup for infants 0-4 years (Family units welcome to come together): Saturday 10-11:30am (monthly basis)

• Inclusive multi-disciplinary playgroup for early years

Pool Play Group for 3-4 years: Fortnightly Saturday 1:15pm at Parks Pool

• Aquatic therapy playgroup for toddlers who enjoy nursery rhymes and cause and effect play.

Parent Food Group for parents of junior primary age children: Monthly, Wednesday afternoon

• A multidisciplinary group to discuss principals of mealtime supports and introduction to new foods
• A space for communication and peer support

Parent Energy Conservation Group for parents of children (3-5 years) with neurological impairments: Fortnightly Wednesday mornings

• Energy conservation principals for children with neurological impairments
• Peer support group to explore concepts and ideas

Camberwell, VIC

Play to Talk – Tuesdays during term, 11am for children 2-4 years

• Our Play to Talk group program is designed for children and their guardians to develop the confidence to use language-based strategies in play to support and promote the language skills in toddlers. We will work collaboratively with you to support your child’s development of vocabulary, turn taking, play based principles and fun! This group is designed to be small and accommodating to all toddler and adult needs.

Play to Learn – Wednesday during term, commencing 7 Feb, 11am for children 4-5 years

• Social skills and language development – this group will transition into our prep readiness group as the year progresses

Secret Agent Society – TBC for children 8-11 years

• Social Skills – Expressions of Interest

Social Seekers – Thursday during term, commencing 8 Feb, 4:15pm for children 6-8 years

• The Social Seekers groups will target social skills relevant to being in a small group dynamic. Within these activity-based sessions, the participants will work on their social and communication skills, such as turn-taking, negotiating and compromising, following a group plan and problem-solving.

Oakleigh, VIC

Play to Learn – Mondays during term commencing 5 Feb, 10am, for children 4-5 years

• Social skills and language development – this group will transition into our prep readiness group as the year progresses

Social Seekers – Mondays during term commencing 5 Feb, 4:15pm for children 6-8 years

• The Social Seekers groups will target social skills relevant to being in a small group dynamic. Within these activity-based sessions, the participants will work on their social and communication skills, such as turn-taking, negotiating and compromising, following a group plan and problem-solving.

Junior Jam Music Group – Mondays during term commencing 9 Feb, 4:15pm for children 4-5 years

• The Junior Jam Music group Program will be run with our Music therapist and team of clinicians to assist children to develop their skills in a range of areas. Through their love of music, children will be able to work together to develop teamwork, problem solving, language and motor skills.

Emotions and Me – Mondays during term, 4:15pm for children 8-10 years

• This group will be geared toward helping children gain the skills needed to consciously regulate their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem-solving skills. The program will explore calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports to create a toolbox of methods to help them move between emotions.

Can you use NDIS funding?

In some cases, NDIS funding can be used to fund group program participation so ensure you discuss this option with the clinic teams when booking.

How to book

Our group therapy programs are specific to each clinic and their available therapists so contact the clinic directly for bookings or expressions of interest for future group programs.

Don’t see your location listed? Contact your local clinic to find out what’s running near you.