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 students develop the motivation, conversation, social thinking and understanding needed to have positive, effective and lasting relationships with their peers and community members.
We all want your students to succeed. To accomplish this, the program combines the elements of placement, intensity, duration, and follow up.
PLACEMENT
The students will be screened in order to place them successfully with the most compatible match of facilitator and grouping. I will be screening the students at the school. A trained and experienced facilitator will be working with your students in groupings of 4 students with one facilitator.
INTENSITY
Your child will be working 2 times a week for one hour during their lunch break at school. Sessions will be split between working intensely to introduce and teach new concepts, and facilitating positive social group dynamics.
Students learn through a variety of methods, therefore, many methods will be used to convey the material such as discussions, role-playing, visual cues, videotaping, watching DVD’s, creating scenarios, 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 SocialMemory, Body Language, and Feedback. Step Up Level II will cover topics like Reputation, Maintaining Friendships and Friendship Balance. Through an ongoing program and group support, the student will have the opportunity for continuous skill building and deeper social understanding.
FOLLOW-UP
In order to bring these new learned skills to a level of generalization in the student’s life, each student will receive their own summaries of key concepts covered in their group. Where the group will focus on social understanding and thinking, these summaries will focus on the skills that can be practiced in home and community settings.
We invite parent input at all times either by speaking with me privately when your child is not present or by e-mail.
COST
The cost of the Step Up program is $30 per week for the lunchtime or after school sessions. There is a $55 registration fee should your child join the program.
LOCATION & TIMES
Classes should ideally be spaced out throughout the week. For public schools it is best to work through your PAC or Daycare to bring this program in. Your school PAC or Daycare will need to approve this activity and the school needs to provide a room to use for the two -1 hour sessions. Please advise Sarina Kier of your day preference.
Step Up office location is at Integrative Health and Education,
The people involved in your child’s Step Up to Social Thinking program are Sarina Kier BA MA, Consultant/Program Director, Aiden Sisler, Meanne Chan, and Randall Gillis Facilitators.
Sarina 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, DPAC Executive and APSN.
To set up your child’s screening interview or to have any of your questions answered regarding this program please call Sarina Kier at 604-264-8481. Parent references are available upon request.
Sarina Kier hosts ongoing monthly evening training sessions for parents, to help them facilitate their children’s progress
