Facilitating Social Connection Groups for Neurodivergent Clients

Hello! My name is Braden, and I’m an Occupational Therapist at Peninsula Plus.

At Peninsula Plus, we are fortunate to offer social connection groups that help our clients build meaningful relationships and experience positive social connections. Thanks to our clinic space and the diverse resources available, I have the privilege of facilitating these groups and supporting clients in developing social connections.

What is a Social Connection Group?

The main goal of a social connection group is to foster positive social interactions and friendships among clients. While making friends is the primary focus, many participants also have additional goals, such as learning more about neurodiversity, developing a growth mindset, and improving fine motor skills.

What Makes a Social Connection Group Successful?

Interest-Based Activities Over the years, I’ve seen a shift in how we approach these groups. While we initially offered general “hangout spaces” for neurodivergent individuals, we now facilitate groups with a specific theme based on common interests. Many autistic and neurodivergent individuals have “deep interests” that bring them great joy, but they may not have had the opportunity to connect with others who share those same passions. By organising groups around specific interests, we give participants a chance to bond with like-minded peers and form meaningful friendships. Some of the themed groups we offer at Peninsula Plus include:

• Lego Group
• Anime/Manga
• Gaming
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Craft Groups

A Week-by-Week Plan Providing a structured plan for each group session has proven to be a great way to prepare clients for what’s to come. By sending out a weekly schedule in advance, we help participants feel more comfortable and confident when they arrive. Often, clients are involved in the planning process, giving them a voice in what activities will take place. For example, in the anime/manga group I run, my co-facilitator and I send out a plan to clients before the group begins. Here’s what a typical schedule might look like:

• Week 1: Kahoot/Blooket (quiz games)
• Week 2: Creating tier lists
• Week 3: Trivia
• Week 4: Movie week
• Week 5: Craft activities

Understanding the Participants Before participants join a group, we meet with both the client and their caregivers to discuss any accommodations or supports that could help them succeed. We also take the time to learn about the client’s unique interests. These interests are key to facilitating positive social interactions. For example, in our gaming group, we’ve purchased specific games that clients love, which has helped many participants thrive and connect with one another.

Regular Review and Collaboration with Other Clinicians After each group session, my co-facilitator and I reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. We make adjustments for the next session to ensure we’re always offering the best experience for our clients. During holiday breaks, when regular groups aren’t running, we meet in-depth to discuss any changes or new ideas for future groups.

Successes from Social Connection Groups

Over the years, I’ve witnessed countless heart warming moments that remind me why these groups are so important. Here are just a few highlights:

• I’ve seen children and teens who were previously bullied or unable to attend school find a welcoming space where they can share their interests with like-minded peers.
• I’ve witnessed kids exchange contact information with one another, leading to lifelong friendships.
• I’ve watched children run excitedly into the group, laughing and smiling as though they were starting a race.
• Parents have told me how their child looks forward to these groups every week.
• I’ve had teenagers personally thank me for making their difficult day more enjoyable.

And there are so many more beautiful stories that reinforce the impact of these social connection groups.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

If you’re interested in learning more about our groups at Peninsula Plus, or if you have feedback or suggestions, please take a moment to explore our current offerings: Peninsula Plus Programs and Intensives. If you know of any deep interests your child has that we could create a group around, or if there’s a skill-based group they’d like to join, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team with any questions or requests via email at: admin@penplus.com.au

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to connecting with you!

Best regards,

Braden