Social Communication Groups

Renee is one of the founding directors of The Sociable Group, a service delivering neurodiversity-affirming social communication groups for both primary and high school students and their families. Their service is focused on developing self-advocacy skills, promoting your true authentic self and communication style and developing confidence and joy for their neurodivergent students.

One of the most important lessons we, The Sociable Group, have learnt is that the best lessons are learnt in real-time, with real-people. We learn most when we watch, meet and listen to the real experts – that is, the individuals themselves. The people with the lived experience.

We believe there is no greater source of information or advice on Neurodivergency than an Neurodivergent individual. It is only they who know the Neurodivergent experience. It is only they who truly know their daily struggles and challenges. It is only they who know what it is they need to live safely and to thrive in a society that is poorly equipped to support their Neurodivergency.

To further increase our understanding, to develop a deeper knowledge of Neurodivergency and to steer our Neurodiversity- affirming practices, we engage in regular mentoring with Autistic adults and an Autistic Speech Pathologist. In these meetings we discuss specific case studies, receive mentoring and guidance on our therapy practises and group programs, and we have the opportunity to get insight and expert advice from our very generous mentors and guides. It is through this professional development that we can learn how best to support and champion Autistic individuals.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

AAC systems are communication devices, either low tech or high tech that help to support an individual’s communication. The following are some examples of AAC systems;

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a low tech AAC device in which an individual uses pictures to communicate with others. Pictures are kept in a folder and can be removed by the individual to form one word or phrases. Visit the website

Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) is a low tech AAC system, however there is now also a high tech app available, which utilises symbols and words so that both the individual and their communication partners can easily access language. The symbols are organised in a systematic way that allows users to access a wide amount of vocabulary. Visit the website    

Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) is an AAC approach that utilises motor learning principles in conjunction with a high tech voice output device, to allow individuals to communicate. LAMP is a pre-programmed system that uses the same motor pathways at all stages, this way an individual does not need to relearn the program as their language grows. Visit the website   

Proloquo2Go™ is a symbol based AAC app that provides access to different levels of vocabulary. Vocabulary templates are pre-programmed however it is customisable to allow for individual user requirements. Visit the website  

The Hanen Program®

It Takes Two to Talk® is a program for children 0 to 5 years who have been diagnosed with a language delay. It focuses on teaching parents strategies to use in their day to day life to help encourage language growth for their child. Visit the website

Target Word™ is a program designed for children under 3 years of age who are late talkers or have a small vocabulary for their age. Visit the website

SCERTS® Model

The SCERTS Model is an educational approach based off evidence based practice. It focuses on building competence in Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support. Visit the website

DIR®/Floortime® Model

DIR is the Developmental, Individual-difference and Relationship-based model that is a framework for intervention. DIR Floortime is the application of the DIR model in therapy, Floortime involves following the childs lead to ensure we are using activities that engage them, while also challenging them to help with growth. Visit the website 

The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique & Oral Tactile Technique

The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique & Oral Tactile Technique is a technique developed by Occupational Therapist and Psychologist, Patricia Wilbarger. The technique uses a prescriptive brushing protocol to help individuals organise their sensory system and is typically used with individuals with sensory defensiveness or sensory integration difficulties.

PROMPT; Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets

PROMPT; Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets is a technique that uses touch cues on an individual’s articulators (jaw, tongue, lips) to manually guide them through the targeted word, phrase or sentence. The technique helps individual’s with poor motor control to help develop the correct oral muscular movements. Visit the website

Assessment and Treatment Strategies for Child and Adolescent Anxiety - Cool Kids Program

Assessment and Treatment Strategies for Child and Adolescent Anxiety - Cool Kids Program is a program developed at Macquarie University for the treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents. It is a program designed to teach both the child and parents how to deal with anxious thoughts and behaviours. Visit the website

Literacy Interventions

Spalding Method of Literacy Instruction is a program that uses explicit, sequential, systematic and multisensory instruction to teach phonics, spelling, vocabulary, reading, writing and comprehension. Visit the website

Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LIPS®) is a phonics program that teaches the oral-motor, visual and auditory cues for each phoneme. Visit the website

Visualizing and Verbalizing® Program for Cognitive Developmental, Comprehension and Thinking is a program that develops concept imagery, the ability to create an image in your mind from language. This is a crucial skill for reading comprehension. Visit the website

Seeing Stars® Program for Reading Fluency and Spelling (SI™) is a program that develops symbol imagery, the ability to visualise letters in words. Visit the website

MultiLit® Reading Tutor Program is a reading program developed to teach both phonics (word attack skills) and sight word recognition. Visit the website