This program has been designed for all children who are at risk in peer relationship development. They would include children with Giftedness, High Functioning Autism, ADD, Turner Syndrome, Non Verbal LD and Asperger’s, as well as children with no diagnosis in place.

Research tells us that the most successful individuals are those with positive, social, people skills and understanding. The goal of this program is to help your children develop the motivation, conversation, social skills and understanding needed to have positive, effective and lasting relationships with their peers and community members.

We all want your child to succeed. To accomplish this, the program combines the elements of placement, intensity, duration, and follow up.

PLACEMENT
Your child will be screened in order to place them successfully with the most compatible match of therapist and child. There is a $45 screening fee for the program. There will be 1 to 4 children in any given program depending on their need and skill level. A trained and experienced therapist will be working with your children in their grouping. Please call Sarina at 604-264-8481 to book your screening time.

INTENSITY
Your child will be working 2 times a week for either, 2 hours each time or 1 hour as fits your goals. Sessions will be split between one therapist working intensely with one to four children (depending on placement) to introduce and teach new concepts, and when appropriate facilitating outings in a more natural setting to interact and practice the skills and understanding learned.

Children learn through a variety of methods, therefore, many methods will be used to convey the material to your children such as discussions, role-playing, visual cues, video taping, creating scenarios, watching DVD’s and poster cards

DURATION
The program consists of 6 distinct levels of learning opportunities, ranging from basic skills to the more advanced. Step Up Level I will cover such learning opportunities as Conversation Stoppers, Body Language and Feedback. Step Up Level I I will cover topics like Reputation, Starting and Maintaining Friendships . Through an ongoing program your child will have the opportunity for continuous skill building and deeper understanding.

FOLLOW-UP
In order to bring these new learned skills to a level of generalization in your child’s life, each child will have their own communication binder. We invite parent input at all times either by writing in the communication book or by speaking with us privately when your child is not present. Worksheets, cues and skill builders will be sent home in the book to help you to continue to work with your children.

Class location is in Vancouver at #370-2025 W 42 Ave. 604-264-8481 or sarinak@shaw.ca

COST
The cost of the Step Up program is $40 per hour for groupings of 1 to 3 and $20. per hour for groups of 4 (only for children ready for this level of engagement), and a $55. registration fee. All materials are included. This program falls under Ministry funding guidelines.

CLASS TIMES
Classes will be held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Your child will need to attend 2 out of these days, except for holidays. Your child’s class time will fall between 4:00 until 6:00 PM or between 6:15 until 8:15 PM. Please advise Sarina Auriel-Kier of your preference. Winter Term runs from March 30th to the first week of June.

Sarina Auriel-Kier BA MA
Sarina received her Master’s degree in Integrated Special Education and Health. Sarina is a Health and Special Education Consultant in private practice in Vancouver. She has been involved in special needs education, health and advocacy for the past eleven years. Sarina is a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee for the District of Vancouver and District Parent Advisory Council.

To set up your child’s screening interview or to have any of your questions answered regarding this program please call Sarina Auriel-Kier at 604-264-8481.

The following is a list of additional learning opportunities for your children:

1. Sibling program to encourage appropriate social understanding and interactions. Both children should be 8 years or over.

2. For children requiring social integration at various after school programs, Step Up therapists are available to accompany them and facilitate social understanding and interactions. This is usually most successful when done on the first day or two of the program.

3. Supervised play dates can be arranged using Step Up therapists for therapeutic intervention and skill generalization.

4. Lunchtime 1-hour sessions 2 times a week at your child’s school by Step Up facilitators. This requires submission through your PAC and permission from your school.

5. Ongoing monthly evening training sessions for parents to help them to facilitate their children’s progress.