The Little Wonders Program:
Little Wonders is our intensive teaching program that runs Monday - Friday at our Centre. This program is designed for children ages 2-7 and is intended to provide research-based teaching for children who are hoping to learn new skills, primarily in the areas of communication, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation. Children typically attend 2-3 days a week, and there are two classes to choose from:
Mornings 9:00-12:00
Afternoons 12:30-3:30. (please note, Maple Ridge is 12:45-3:30)
Little Wonders is designed to look like a preschool classroom, yet it operates with a unique approach, offering individualized 1:1 teaching support to help children acquire skills outlined in their goal plans. Teaching occurs primarily with a Program Instructor (our term for BI). We want to provide a relaxed, joyful environment with patient adults, and skilled instructors. Our Centre is abundantly stocked with a variety of toys, craft materials, teaching activities, and sensory supports to enhance the learning experience. Across our three floors, we have strategically organized six distinct activity stations, providing a dynamic and engaging environment for the children.:
Playroom
Arts and Crafts and Science Exploration
Sensory Play
Learning Stations
Gym
Snack
Circle
Children rotate through the activity zones in small groups of 3-4 students and instructors while working on their goal plan. Creating "zones" facilitates a range of teaching opportunities with a variety of materials, provides clear endings and beginnings to practice transitions, and provides space for the learner to develop new interests.
A Supervising Consultant is always present to provide support and training to any team member who may need it. Data is recorded by the instructor each day the child attends. The data will help us understand if the child is making progress over time in the targeted skill areas.
Many children also receive therapy sessions as part of the Little Wonders Program. Typically, the therapy session is scheduled while the child is already at the centre.
The Goal Plan
Traditionally plans written by a Behaviour Analyst/Consultant have been called Behaviour Plans, Treatment Plans, or Assessments. This terminology may suggest to some that the children have behaviours that need to be "fixed". We approach writing plans from the perspective that autistic traits do not need to be eliminated. Our focus is on teaching skills that will assist people with autism to live their best life. We wish for our words to reflect these values, so we will refer to our reports as Goal Plans.
Each student who attends the Little Wonders Program will have an individualized Goal Plan that details 5-10 skills we will focus on increasing. Behaviour Analysts are educators who are trained in the laws of human behaviour to teach life-improving skills. This is typically done by breaking down complex actions into simpler steps. These steps are taught systematically so the student can experience success and are always adaptable to each student's strengths. In each session, analysts record the number of times these skills are practiced so that it can be decided objectively if progress is being made over time. This is why we create "data sheets" and fill them in each session.
Skills are identified through consultation with parents and therapists and by observing the child in the Centre.
There are always 6 domains that we consider when developing a goal plan:
Communication
Understanding Language
Regulation and Advocacy Skills
Life Skills
Participation/School Readiness
Some examples of goals are: (THESE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY AND WOULD BE HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED FOR YOUR CHILD).
Participation: When the Instructor announces, "time to go to ___" The student will be supported to transition safely to the next activity. They will do this for 5 different activity zones and complete at least one activity at each station.
Communication: The student will ask for three different preferred objects using gestures, words, and/or Touch Chat.
Understanding Language: The student will follow instructions to "clean up" before moving on to a new toy. They will place at least one item away after the instructor models the action.
Life Skills: The student will void in the toilet and remain dry and clean between trips to the toilet in 45-minute intervals.
Regulation: When the student shows early signs of dysregulation (plugging ears, saying No No! ) they will engage in regulation strategies with a trusted adult. They will keep their hands and feet safe in this situation 9 out of 10 times over one one-month period.
School Readiness: When asked to stand in a line or wait for a turn, the student will be supported to wait calmly, keeping their hands to themselves, for up to 3 minutes.
The Centre is open about 48 weeks of the year. We are closed for 1 week, at the end of December, and one week in the summer (the first week of July). No sessions on Statutory Holidays or weekends
Cost: I will work with you to develop a program that fits the budget you want to spend. We don’t expect any family to spend out-of-pocket to participate in our program. Please email kirsten@asdwonder.com for current fees.
After-School Group Program: Weekdays for school-aged children: 3:45-5:00.
“The things that make me different are the things that make me ME ”