Interaction’s Behaviour & Allied Health Services team recently ran an Emotion-Based Social Skills Training (EBSST) program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or mild Intellectual Disability between 8 and 12 years of age. The EBSST program is a preventative and early intervention program, promoting mental well-being, designed and evaluated by researchers at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Its primary aim is to build emotional resilience in children with emotional and social difficulties. The program was delivered over three school terms and covered ‘understanding emotions’, ‘problem solving and perspective taking’, and ‘managing emotions’. Comprehensive teacher and parent education was also provided.

Seven children attended the group, which was facilitated by two Interaction clinicians – Rebecca Jaggard and Chloe McCann. The group was a great success! All the children reported that they had fun and learned new skills. At the end of the program, parents reported noticeable changes in their children’s capacity to label their emotions, to notice the emotions in other people and to use a range of coping strategies. The group enjoyed a celebration party at the end of the program and are looking forward to their ‘booster session’ in December this year.

We look forward to offering this group program again in the future! Expressions of interest can be made by calling Interaction on 1300 668 123.