Enrollment Option
Pivotal Pals is an entry level program and is a recommended prerequisite to the Pivotal Kids program, but not mandatory.
Duration of Classes
This program is held once per week, for 5 weeks. Classes are roughly 1.5 hour(s) long.
Number of Participants
We like to keep our programs small. There is a minimum of 2 participants and a maximum of 6 per class.
Age Group
Pivotal Pals is from
4 - 5 years of age.
Pivotal Kids is 5-7 years of age.
Open to All
Your child does not need a diagnosis of ASD in order to participate.
Cancellation Policy
Fees are non-refundable as we need to secure the Instructor(s). Unfortunately, missed or cancelled classes cannot be redone.
WHAT IS OUR SOCIAL COMPETENCY PROGRAM ABOUT?
You may be asking what's the difference between "social skills" and "social competency"? Well, social skills refers to the ability to facilitate an interaction with another person, using social rules that are communicated in verbal and non verbal ways. For example, your child sees their friend from school at the park. They recognize this child and say "hello" and wave.
Social competence requires more than just social skills; it is a complex and interconnected set of skills that enables us to navigate social interactions and initiate and maintain relationships with others (Stichter et al, 2012). In other words, knowing 'when' and 'how' to use social skills. For example, when your child walks into their classroom and finds one of their friends in tears. Being able to recognize that their friend is distressed and approach them appropriately to say "What's wrong?" is social competency. Reading a room is another example. Understanding that when you walk into the library, everyone is quiet, is social competency.
Sometimes, children know their social skills but need prompting in order to use them. For example, if your child only says hello after you prompt "Say hello to Mrs. Walker" every time, they have become prompt dependent. Our social competency program teaches your child these skills.
Our class sizes are small and taught and/or supervised by a Speech-Language Pathologist and by certified PRT Instructor Therapists.
*Check with your insurance provider to see if you have any coverage for speech services. You may be able to be reimbursed some funds. Pivotal Minds will issue you a receipt with the Speech Language Pathologist's name and credentials so that you may submit this receipt to your insurance provider.*
In addition to using the social competency curriculum, we will also use PRT's positive approach to our classes. PRT's main focus is:
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE SOCIAL COMPETENCY PROGRAMS?
PERSONAL ATTENTION
Your child will receive personal attention throughout the program. This starts at our intake process; highlighting your child's abilities will help us to create a meaningful camp experience.
CERTIFIED
THERAPISTS
Our PRT Certified Instructor Therapists provide ABA therapy to families on a regular basis. They are compassionate, fun and most importantly qualified to hold a fun and safe space for your child. In our Social Competency Programs, a Speech-Language Pathologist will either facilitate or supervise classes.
EVIDENCE-BASED
PROGRAMS
We create our program using positive PRT strategies that will motivate your child using their unique skills to learn and have fun!
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE SOCIAL COMPETENCY PROGRAMS?
These programs focus on a variety of skills such as understanding that each person has a heart. Your child will learn that they are part of a group. They are taught how to observe others and the environment and where to keep their body within a group. Listening with your whole body and not just with your ears is also discussed. All of these amazing strategies are presented in a fun and positive setting.
SMALL GROUPS
Small group sizes allow our participants to feel at ease, feel part of a community and build a sense of belonging. By keeping our programs smaller, we are able to work on things such as transitioning, dealing with conflict, coach self-management, etc. in addition to what is being taught.
NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAMMING
Our programs are non-competitive. Although we may play games with teams, we focus on participation and having fun! Fostering a positive environment is important to encouraging children to join in rather than focusing on winning or losing. We learn from mistakes and how to be part of a fun group!
OUR APPROACH
We use Pivotal Response Treatment in every program we create. PRT is a naturalistic and positive approach that follows a child's lead, often showing gains and success in short periods of time. Our camp leaders are certified Instructor Therapists and understand the unique complexities that each child brings (even in those anxious or overstimulated moments). Our intake process helps us to ensure that your child's needs are met in small groups. We nurture our Little Chicklets so that they comfortably feel a part of a fun camp experience.
ACTIVITIES
01
This program involves pretend play, such as being an astronaut going to space.
Through pretend play, children learn important skills such as consider other people's perspectives, transfer knowledge from one situation to another, negotiations, etc.
02
Fun speech-language activities that promote conversation making or initiations.
Problem-solving will be a group and individualized effort teaching your child these milestones throughout.
03
Programming is presented through storytelling.
Storytelling brings language learning alive and creates a participatory and immersive experience that allows participants to enjoy hearing the language in an entertaining way.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Please contact us at 905.553.1800
To keep our families safe, Pivotal Minds follows COVID-19 protocols established by York Region Public Health. For the latest on our guidelines, kindly visit their website