Events

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Calendar of Events

See Calendar below for updates.

Therapy Groups

Social Skills Groups

Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) have difficulty with social communication. Typically developing individuals usually acquire these skills without a formal intervention. However, individuals with ASDs usually require a more formal and structured training curriculum to address the deficits associated with social communication skills. Some of the deficits in social skills may include:

Engaging in reciprocal social interactions
Maintaining eye contact during conversations
Attention to nonverbal aspects of communication, i.e., gestures and facial expressions
Initiating and engaging in appropriate conversations with others
Initiating, terminating, and repairing conversations
Transitioning between conversation topics that may include the interests of others
Adapting and conforming to rules governing social behavior
Understanding the perspective of others
Demonstrating age appropriate social or play behaviors

2022 Summer Social Skills Application.pdf (clickon the link)

Sibling Club

Autism doesn't affect just children with the disorder. It affects the lives of the entire family, including siblings. Raising a child with autism can place some extraordinary demands on parents as individuals and also place some special demands on siblings. It is important that siblings learn to manage these demands in order to become resilient adults. Some of the common themes identified in the research as possibly affecting siblings of children with autism and other special needs include:

Feelings of resentment that their sister/brother is being spoiled or treated differently, and being allowed to get away with things.
Feeling isolated or experiencing embarrassment around their peers
Feeling pressure to make up for their siblings deficits by being the "good" or "smart" one
Wishing they had a special need also or acting out for attention.
Feelings of fear, frustration, anxiety, or anger if they are the target of their sister's/brother's aggression.

While many siblings of children with autism and other special needs generally adapt well to the challenges, others may need additional support. Our sibling groups are designed to give siblings the opportunity to share their experiences with solutions and strategies offered. This group is also intended for siblings to connect with others who have similiar concerns in a supportive and fun environment.

New registration dates coming soon...

Music Therapy

Southwest Georgia Music Therapy has Partnered with Beckhom Behavioral Consulting, LLC. to introduce an additional therapy option to our clients. According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.