The Virtual Music Social Skills program is a nine-week, multi-component music platform designed to improve the emotional understanding and social skills of children, and is suggested for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Music captivates children with its hands-on learning environment and variety of rhythm and songs. Each session provides movement, composition, singing, playing instruments, and is designed to help children learn new social and emotional skills in a fun environment.
Parents/guardians will receive information and strategies to help young ‘musicians’ develop and practice new skills at home and at school during the parent/guardian information session.
Topics of instruction
- Impulse control, taking turns and waiting
- Following instructions
- Talking and playing with others
- Joining in conversations and activities with others
- Labelling emotions
- Developing an understanding of how situations make them feel
- Identifying appropriate strategies to manage unpleasant emotions
- Solving social problems
Participation requirements
- Child must have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Child is able to attend weekly virtual sessions for a nine-week period
- Caregiver must be able to attend one virtual parent/guardian session (date to be confirmed)
- Demonstrates emerging social skills and an interest in building relationships with same-aged peers or peers with common interests
The program will be fully subsidized by the SCDSB and facilitated by Heidi Flynn, RP, MTA, Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Music Therapist, Music Therapy Services of Simcoe County Music Therapists and SCDSB staff.