Bringing together children with autism and their peers in the true spirit of play and friendship.

Autism Play Groups

Overview

United Way School’s Out Autism Play Groups program combine the award-winning Integrated Play Groups®, Friend 2 Friend Autism Demystification®, and SCERTS® models. These comprehensive after school programs are inclusive peer play, educational programs that focus on developing the social, communication, emotional regulation, and peer play competencies of all the children participating.

About Play Groups Programs

United Way School’s Out Autism Play Groups programs are small, stable groups of children ages 6 to 12 that meet regularly under the guidance of highly trained professionals to play and make friends. Each group consists of no more than five children (2 children with autism and 2 to 3 of their peers).

Services

Like all Friend 2 Friend Programs, United Way School’s Out Autism Play Groups are comprehensive programs that focus on the development of the social, communication, emotional regulation, and peer play competencies of all the children participating. As part of the United Way School’s Out Autism Play Groups program, we offer the following services:

Pre-Program Services

Online Family Course
Program Coordinator intake phone call
Registration supports as required
Support in recruiting expert players
Transition visit booking, planning, and materials
Transition visit to the play centre
Administrative services (forms, payments, etc.)

In Program Services

Weekly session planning team meeting
Affinity-based materials and visual preparations
Educational materials and visual preparations
Pre and Post-program team standing meetings
Highly trained professional team (1 Master Guide, 1 to 2 Play Guides and 1 Program Coordinator)
1-hour Play Group sessions
Weekly session notes and data collection
Weekly emails with updates
Phone consultations with program coordinator (upon request)
All materials purchase and designs
All visuals designed and created
A written interim report with individualized goals (week 12)
A written final report with recommendations (week 32)
Autism Demystification® Program at School (1 program per preschool or daycare)
Re-registration Consultation (upon request)
Monthly educational blog
Monthly E-newsletter