Group Sessions

Group Programs

Interest-based group programs to spark connections

Group sessions create a space for your child to develop and practise new skills amongst peers and build positive relationships.

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We create a safe and inclusive space for your child to learn how to connect with peers, practise new skills and self-advocate.

In group sessions, we give children a safe and respectful space to use their skills, tools and strategies to participate on their terms. Children can work together to problem solve and enjoy time with peers. It’s a great opportunity to form friendships and explore common interests while learning about others.

Group sessions provide an ideal setting for children to learn and refine a wide range of skills. Through engaging activities and guided interactions, children will have the opportunity to work on speech and language development, regulation, and more. Our experienced therapists design activities that target individual goals while fostering a sense of togetherness.

January School Holiday Groups Program 2024

Welcome to all neurodiverse and neurotypical children!

Available Groups

Emergency Services Group
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This group is a program that provides an opportunity for 4-7 year old children to participate in activities centered around emergency services. Each day will be based on either the police force, paramedics, or firefighters and the activities will align with a specific emergency service. During the group, children will be supported to work alongside others and meet new peers (and an emergency service worker)! We will be playing games, doing arts and crafts, and setting up a themed dramatic play of the day which incorporates the crafts that the children make, and dress-up! The overall focus of this group will be turn-taking, communication, and self-advocacy in an environment where children can feel comfortable to express themselves.

Age: 4 to 7 years
Dates: Mon, Tues, Weds (13 Jan - 15 Jan)
Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Price: $940

Ready for School Group
Ready for School Group
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The ready for school group program is put in place to support children transitioning to Kindergarten. We focus on the key skills a child requires in a school environment through an interest-based approach. This includes skills such as attention and concentration, social-emotional skills, self-care skills, and fine and gross motor skills. The overall objective of the group is to build on your child’s skills to ensure they feel confident and prepared for their transition to Kindergarten. Activities will include morning circle, morning tea, table-based activities including writing, drawing, cutting, facilitated and structured play as well as un-facilitated free play. There will be a strong emphasis on ensuring your child feels comfortable, safe, and happy, and we do this by building understanding of our regulation needs, using tools and strategies that are individualized and modifying the environment that is accessible and comfortable for all.

Age: 4 to 5 years
Dates:
Group 1: Mon, Tues, Weds (13 Jan - 15 Jan)
Group 2: Mon, Tues, Weds (20 Jan - 22 Jan)
Group 3: Tues, Weds, Thurs (28 Jan - 30 Jan)
Time: 9:00am - 11:00am
Price: $940

Toddler Play & Sensory Explorers Group
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Join our Toddler Play & Sensory Explorers Group for fun, play, and learning! Led by a friendly speech pathologist, this group helps your little one develop talking and social skills through exciting sensory play. We’ll explore different textures, sounds, and movements, making learning fun and engaging! Each session features hands-on activities to encourage exploration and help toddlers start chatting naturally. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join and pick up tips for supporting communication at home. Whether your toddler is just starting to talk or already has a few words, this group is perfect for all communication levels. Come play, explore, and make new friends! Ideal for kids aged 18 months to 3 years.

Age: 1.5 to 3 years
Dates: Mon, Tues, Weds (20 Jan - 22 Jan)
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Price: $730

Banter & Bond
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Welcome to Banter & Bond, a weekly summer group designed to enhance your teen’s social communication skills through dynamic and engaging activities! Each week, we focus on building strong connections with fun team bonding games, stimulating research tasks, and adventurous scavenger hunts. Our sessions also feature lively mini debates and thought-provoking “Would You Rather” quizzes to practice conversational skills in a relaxed setting. Camp Connect offers a supportive environment where teens can develop confidence and improve their social interactions while making new friends and deepening existing relationships. Join us for an exciting summer of growth, learning, and meaningful connections!

Age: 12+ years
Dates: Mon, Tues, Weds (13 Jan - 15 Jan)
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Price: $940

Cooking Group
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Join our IWP Cooking group, where children can safely explore the world of food in a relaxed environment. We understand that every child experiences food differently, so there's no pressure here. From the way food feels to how it smells, looks, and tastes, we'll explore it all together. Throughout the program, children will collaborate to make cool and tasty creations which align with their preferences. They will have the chance to foster teamwork and culinary skills in a fun and supportive setting.

Age: 7 to 10 years
Dates: Mon, Tues, Weds (20 Jan - 22 Jan)
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Price: $940

Olympics Group
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IWP Olympics is a program that provides a space for children to develop their social skills and gross motor skills in a fun, exciting and supportive group setting. In this program, we focus on social skills like team building, communication, turn-taking, and sharing. Each session will be filled with various Olympic-styled games, but it is flexible to adapt to each individual's interests. Examples of activities include tunnel ball, bean bag throwing, bowling, and more! In this group, there is a significant focus on creating a safe environment and providing opportunities for children to develop their social skills and form friendships.

Age: 5 to 8 years
Dates: Mon, Tues, Weds (13 Jan - 15 Jan)
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Price: $940

Mini Picasso Group
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Mini Picasso’s is a program that provides a space for children to explore their artistic side within a supported group setting. In Mini Picasso’s, we focus on developing their fine motor skills and executive functioning in a unique, creative space. Each session will be themed but is flexible to adapt to each individual’s interests and sensory preferences. Examples of activities include colour-focused craft, nature craft, animal craft, and more! In Mini Picasso’s, there is a significant focus on creating an environment where children can explore their passions and communicate and express their needs through art.

Age: 7 to 10 years
Dates: Tues, Weds, Thurs (28 Jan - 30 Jan)
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Price: $940

Chess Club
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Our IWP Chess group aims to provide a safe and engaging environment for children of all ages to share in their enjoyment of the strategic game of chess! This group aims to provide a space where children can play and learn from each other. We understand that children may have varying levels of chess experience, and we welcome it all! This group will be facilitated by our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, who will help children build their communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and collaboration skills while supporting friendships along the way.

Age: 10 to 12 years
Dates: Tues, Weds, Thurs (28 Jan - 30 Jan)
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Price: $940

What's involved

Each group includes three sessions with daily summaries and a summary report at the end of each group. This can be used as evidence of outcomes from the group for NDIS purposes.

Your child will be supported to work with or alongside, share joy and play with other children, meet new peers, engage in a group plan, and have the opportunities for fun new experiences.

Our groups are inclusive, and children of all abilities are able to join. One-on-one Allied Health Assistant Support is able to be arranged to support children in accessing groups at an additional cost.

Screeners

Group screeners are required for all group members.

New group participant will require a 30 minute screener and an updated 5-10 minute screen will be undertaken for previous participants. For current clients of IWP these screeners can be completed within individual sessions.

These screeners are billed at the NDIS rate of $193.99 per hour and are additional to the group cost.

Further information

If you are concerned that our advertised groups do not meet the needs of your child, please chat to us and we can discuss options as needed.

Interested in enrolling your child in a group program?

Leave your details below and a member of our team will be in touch with more information.

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Our group sessions align with neuro-affirming practices. We embrace the uniqueness and strengths of all children.

Explore some of our exciting group programs to best suit your child's interests and goals

These are just a few of the groups offered here at Inner West Paediatrics. Our talented team are constantly developing new, exciting and educational groups for your child to continue to learn and grow alongside their peers.

3-4 Years Play Group

  1. Tailored for 3-4 year old children
  2. Includes sensory play, pretend play, and arts/crafts
  3. Focuses on child led shared play

Ready for School

  1. Support transition to Kindergarten
  2. Writing, cutting and drawing
  3. Structure and unfacilitated play
  4. Focus on motor skills, concentration, emotional control and self-care

Minecraft

  1. Explore cooperative play
  2. Share ideas and help others
  3. Form new friendships
  4. Explore regulation strategies
  5. Focus on social skills, concentration, regulation and self-advocacy

Secret Girls Society

  1. Develop friendships
  2. Practise social skills
  3. Conflict resolution
  4. Colouring, yoga, free play and games
  5. Explore self-advocacy

3-4 Years Play Group

This group is an opportunity for 3-4 year old children to explore shared interests and play in a safe, supportive space. Activities will be setup in line with the interests of participants in the group, and could include:

  • Sensory or messy play
  • Pretend play
  • Arts and crafts
  • People play activities (requires another person)

The primary focus for this group will be to setup opportunities for shared play through a child led approach.

Contact us to learn morearrow_forward

Ready for School

The ready for school group program is put in place to support children transitioning to Kindergarten. We focus on the key skills a child requires in a school environment through an interest based approach. This includes skills such as attention and concentration, social emotional skills, self care skills and fine and gross motor skills. The overall objective of the group is build on your child’s skills to ensure they feel confident and prepared for their transition to Kindergarten.

Activities will include morning circle, morning tea, table based activities including writing, drawing, cutting, facilitated and structured play as well as unfacilitated free play. There will be a strong emphasis on ensuring your child feels comfortable, safe and happy and we do this by building understanding of our regulation needs, using tools and strategies that are individualised and modifying the environment that is accessible and comfortable for all.

Contact us to learn morearrow_forward

Minecraft

In the Minecraft group, participants work in pairs to interact and collaborate through meaningful Minecraft play. Minecraft is a game where players place blocks, craft items, and can build a wide range of creative projects. In Minecraft group, we utilise play in Creative Mode only, as this allows participants to engage in the game without the risk of losing progress. Participants work in pairs to build projects and collaborate together in their Minecraft world, exploring positive and cooperative play.

Participants are support to transition in and out of 5-minute turns, share ideas, help one another, and have fun forming new friendships. The facilitators will also support participants to advocate for and explore regulation strategies. The group focuses on social skills, communication, regulation and self-advocacy.

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Secret Girls Society

Secret Girls Society is a program that provides a space for girls to develop friendships with one another and practise their social skills. In Secret Girls Society, we focus on developing confidence and resilience in social situations as well as the development of self-regulation, turn taking and conflict resolution skills. In the group, the girls are encouraged to explore self-advocacy as neurodivergent individuals in social situations.

The activities vary week to week, though largely they involve the general interest of the girls as a means of developing the aforementioned skills. Some examples include colours in, yoga, free play and games such as musical chairs and other group activities. In Secret Girls Society there is a significant focus is placed on creating an children are able to feel safe and supported by the clinicians as well as their peers.

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Other ways we can help your child

Why do we recommend Group Sessions?

Inner West Paediatrics believe groups are a powerful way for many of our clients to have the opportunity to develop and practice new skills amongst peers, and for our clients to have the opportunity to enjoy interest based groups with peers.

How to book an appointmentarrow_forward

How do Group sessions work?

We run a range of groups throughout terms and intensive programs during School Holidays. Groups are tailored according to the interests, skills and needs of the children in the group so content and activities are flexible to accommodate this.

Available group programs include:

  • Social Skills Groups
  • Ready For School Groups
  • CO-OP Handwriting Groups
  • Sounds-Write Literacy Groups
  • Early Language Stimulation Groups
  • Attention Autism Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
When do groups run?
When do groups run?
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What do the groups involve?
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How much do the groups cost?
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