WHAT TYPES OF GROUPS ARE YOU
INTERESTED IN?
Purely Recreational Activities
-
movies, fun parks, bus trips -
This
type of group allows for spontaneity and variety but will be more
enjoyable if a familiar network of children/teens/young adults
participate. Can range from small groups to unlimited number. Friendships
may remain fairly superficial.
Creative Expressive Activities
- art,
music, acting, photography -
Activities related to non-conventional forms of self expression and
development, often challenging the group member to extend themselves in a
supportive environment. Ideally, this type of group can introduce new
interests and develop personal potential in the company of an ongoing
group, responsive to personal needs and differences. A skilled group
leader may extend activities to facilitate meaningful discussion and
opportunities to build genuine friendships, express and appreciate the
individuality of one's self and others in the group, develop self
motivation and enjoy self development in activities and socially (vs. the
instant gratification of purely recreational activities and more
superficial group membership).
"Meet Other People" Activities
- picnic,
barbeque -
This
type of group allows children/teens/young adults to meet each other and
for parents to meet. It might not be effective for young people without
social skills unless an activity is provided.
Special Interest Groups
- computer
design, theater productions -
A small
group interested in a particular subject and meeting regularly for that
interest. Useful for developing an interest with friends, sharing the cost
of specialized teachers. Provides the social component and is not as
expensive as simply doing "classes" in something. As a group, they may
develop their interest more than an individual may be motivated to do.
Varied Interest Groups
-
art, trips, meals, photography, drumming, aikido -
This
type of group is recommended for covering a variety of interests or
perhaps to introduce young people to new potential interests. The same
familiar group provides continuity, even if activities change. Activities
are chosen to meet the interests and availability of group members. The
group might be independent or might use a facilitator to help organize
activities and provide assistance and support; i.e., providing continuity
and familiarity in the company of new, unfamiliar teachers, taking care of
interests of group members, facilitating the social component. A
facilitator might be a parent or a semi-professional/professional. Sharing
costs makes a professionally led group very affordable.
Social Skills Group
Groups
that meet regularly to discuss ongoing challenges and events in their
lives. For younger people with Asperger's, learning structured skills is
useful (appropriate behavior in different situations). For older people
with Asperger's, this sort of group can be boring and result in scripted
language and a lack of generalization to real life. A more effective
social skills support group for teens can be in the form of a support
group that shares ongoing life events, discusses options and life goals,
helps group members through transitions, encourages peer support and
genuine friendships. Recommended that this type of group has no more than
six members and is facilitated by an experienced facilitator. Sharing
costs makes a professionally led social skills group very affordable.
