Program Overview
Raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be very rewarding, but it can also be extremely challenging. Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome often find it difficult to understand their own emotions and those of others, to express their feelings in appropriate ways and have trouble making friends. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills program creates a fun, non-threatening environment in which children can learn the skills they need to become happy, well-adjusted and valued members of our society.
This flexible program helps parents and professionals to improve children's emotional understanding and social skills by teaching them:
- How to recognise emotions in themselves and others.
- How to express feelings in appropriate ways.
- How to cope with feelings of anger and anxiety.
- How to start, continue and end conversations and play activities with others.
- How to tell the difference between friendly joking and mean teasing.
- How to manage bullying.
- How to cope with making mistakes.
- How to handle new situations and ask for help when needed.
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) social skills program can be accessed in two ways. Firstly, parents can purchase the SAS Computer Game Pack, Board Game and/or E-Telligence Pack to help improve their children's emotional understanding and social skills at home and at school. If a child's social difficulties persist despite using these resources, they may need more intensive support. This can be provided via the 12-session Secret Agent Society group social skills program. This intervention includes:
- Fun small group child therapy sessions to help children apply social skills to everyday life.
- Parent information sessions to provide guidance on supporting children's social skill development.
- Teacher tip sheets that provide recommendations for how school staff can support children's social development and create a friendly and caring learning environment.
