A Typical 3-Hour Autism Therapy Session at Kidz Steps Centre
Children with autism often require more attention and support to develop essential skills. Many of them face challenges with attention and sensory processing, making one-to-one therapy a more effective approach than group learning. Here, we outline a typical 3-hour autism therapy session for a 4-year-old boy with autism at our center, designed to support both independence and skill development.
3-hours Session Structure
Arrival and Check-In Routine
The autism therapy session begins with a structured arrival routine to build independence and readiness for school. Upon arrival, the child:
- Takes off their shoes and places them on the rack.
- Says goodbye to their parents and greets the therapist.
- Sanitizes their hands.
- Puts down their bag.
- Uses the toilet.
Most of our students quickly adapt to this routine and can follow it independently. These steps are crucial for developing self-help skills, building confidence in daily tasks and school readiness.
Physical Activities
Once the check-in is complete, the session begins with physical activities. These activities serve as a warm-up, helping to improve motor skills and address sensory challenges. Activities are carefully selected based on the child’s individual needs, ensuring they are engaging and beneficial. Physical activities are an integral part of the autism therapy session to ensure the child is comfortable and ready for the next steps.
One-to-One Learning
After the warm-up, the child moves to the therapy room for one-to-one learning with a therapist. Each child’s learning program is personalized to target their strengths and weaknesses. The program is reviewed and adjusted every three months. This is to ensure it aligns with the child’s progress and evolving needs.
This individualized approach allows the therapist to focus on specific skills, such as communication, cognitive development, behavior management, school readiness or social skills, ensuring steady and meaningful progress throughout the autism therapy session.
Snack Time
Following an hour of learning, it’s time for a snack. Snack time is another opportunity to practice independence:
- The child retrieves their snack box.
- Washes their hands.
- Eats independently.
- Cleans up their snack area.
- Washes their hands again.
- Packs up their belongings.
These steps reinforce self-help skills in a practical and enjoyable setting. After snack time, students engage in supervised free play, encouraging interaction and social development—an essential aspect of the autism therapy session.
Second Learning Session and Playgroup Time
The child returns to the therapy room for another focused learning session. Toward the end of the session, we include a 15-20 minute playgroup time. During this time, students participate in circle-time activities, which promote social interaction and group learning. Activities are designed to be fun and engaging to help children build friendships and practice cooperative play.
Conclusion
Our one-to-one early intervention program not only provides individualized attention to address each child’s unique needs but also integrates opportunities for group interactions. This balanced approach helps children with autism develop essential skills for independence and socialization, setting a strong foundation for their future.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in our program, contact us now. We provide free consultations for parents. Here are some articles that may help you understand more about our program:
