We did a ABA playgroup for over 2 years..it was at our BCBA's house and we had 3 nt kids and 2 asd kiddos..
It was a structured "theme" related playgroup so if they were doing "pirates" they made eye patches and wore scarfs on their heads, play swords.. went to the park that was an 1/2 block away with a map that had an "X" and clues to where the treasure was:)
They did themes, farm, baby dolls, cooking, construction cars/vehicles, fireman, doctors, school...ect.. we made social balls with sharpie pens writing "emotions" of happy, sad, mad, excited ect..all over ball(cheap walmart bouncy ball) and balls that had pretend; ex. play drums, flute, jump rope, jumping jacks, swimming ect..and a ball for "Asking friends: name, age, pets, siblings, favorite song, f/food, f/toy, f/color ect..One for "Acting" like animals: cow, dog, horse, cat, duck, frog, sheep, monkey ect...Kids loved to play the social ball games:)
They also did games like hullaballoo, candyland, duck duck goose, twister, tag...ect..
They always got stickers or stars for engaging or initiating each other..
EX~if the nt child could get Sarah to respond appropriateley he would get a star and vice versa:) IT was great for modeling and learning about each other:) We stopped this summer because she did very well in group but she was not using the taught skills outside of it..so I am working with her solo now and taking a break for once:) Good luck!!!!
I am in the Northern Virginia area and am interested in starting a playgroup for children on the spectrum. I have a 3 year old son with PDD-NOS who currently attends various types of camps and therapies. It is all very expensive and yet seems to be crucial to his development. I have sat in on some of the sessions, and although I am not a therapist, I believe that with the right group of motivated parents, I could replicate some of what I see done. And I don't think that most standard playgroups are structured enough to achieve the same results.
Some ideas that I have include arts/crafts activities, activities geared toward improving social skills, activities revolved around eating and food tolerance, playground activities, activities that will increase language... The list goes on and on. ..
Please contact me if you are interested in trying to set up a weekly structured playgroup for your child. I am open to ideas, as I know many of you also are loaded with them. :O)
Nicole
i want to do this for my child as well!