Welcome! 

We are so happy to be able to offer social and life groups for those that are autistic. It would be our privilege to walk alongside of you and your family as you navigate your needs and those you love. Waves Autism Center was born out of a desire to offer an additional resource to provide opportunities to cultivate connections and social interactions with peers with similar interests. They do not replace a therapy session, but are intended to create opportunities to build friendships and instill hope and a future!

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Social Groups​ (In-person and Online) 

We offer groups based on biological age and developmental abilities that ​will meet for an hour each week, during the school year. The first part of the hour will be an unstructured time to meet and greet. This will be followed by a short time of review from the previous session. The last part of the hour will be used to discuss the main topic, which can be found on the student/handout sent by email prior to each group session, followed by an activity or game to learn ways to create positive social connections with others. The session will conclude with instructions to study the student/parent handout and to answer questions students may have. There may be times when a group session may have parents participate as needed. Parents are asked to stay nearby to provide support. 

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We lead our groups in a way that fosters ways to develop healthy systemic relationships with others through positive connections learned through awareness of self and others. We are very conscious of the sensory issues and dietary concerns that many students may have that can get in the way of their full potential. We are here to help support our students and walk alongside the families to help bring positive experiences and opportunities. 

 

During the school year we may have special fun days and celebrate holidays in a way that will provide opportunities to use the skills that are learned for all of our students that live locally and outside of our area. Once an event is scheduled, there will be a release form to be signed beforehand.  

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Waves Social Groups do not take the place of a therapy session and they are not offered to create a more neuro-typical child or adult, but is intended to offer opportunities to encourage our students that have an autism diagnosis live in a world that has many different learners. We hope to offer encouragement and hope in the following areas: 1) Set goals-to navigate and succeed in a neurotypical world with clearly defined social skills. 2) Teach-explain what behavior can look like and why behavior is important. 3) Model-demonstrate a positive social behavior to increase healthy connections with others and to be open to all kinds of different learners, helping them to open up conversations that may lead to more inclusion opportunities within our families, community, and beyond. 4) Practice-role play opens up conversations for learning and awareness of self and others. 5) Prompting-supporting a natural display of positive behaviors, taking time to understand our bodies and any sensory concerns our students may have that is interfering in the things they desire to do and be. 6) Reinforce and encourage social interactions, while displaying positive behaviors among our students and facilitate conversations as they bring an awareness of shared interests and hobbies. 7) Generalize-encourage practice of healthy behavior outside of the group with family support in between our group sessions.

 

Topics 

We will cover 8 different topics including: 1) group rules/introductions 2) conversations 3) creating positive connections with others 4) identifying sensory concerns/expressing emotions 5) coping and minimizing anger and anxiety 6) conflict resolution  7) good sportsmanship and 8) positive manners with parental input.

 

We encourage parental feedback through email and text messages. I understand that we all have our own way of expressions and customs that are unique to each of us and to our families. Please let me know, how we can incorporate your customs and traditions in a group session to gain the best outcome for your family.

 

Intake Assessment and Payment Policy

Give us a call prior to making payment for a free phone consultation. Together we can schedule an initial intake session at a time that is convenient for you! The intake session has a fee of $80. In the new school year beginning August 2023, $150 will be due at the beginning of each month until May 2024. I do not participate on any of the insurance panels, however, we are a family support vender for Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare, River Edge, B and B Care Services, Lookout Mountain/Kaleidoscope Community Services (Bridge Health), Easter Seals Southern Georgia, and Easter Seals Champions for Children! Depending on which area you live, you may be eligible to receive family support that will cover the costs of our program. I encourage all families to contact their the family support coordinator that serves your area to verify and apply for family support funding. During your initial phone consultation I can give you the contact information for the agency that serves your area or you can the contact numbers in our home page. 

 

Thank you! 

Thank you for considering Waves as a resource for you and your family! We offer a safe haven where you will find caring people that desire to walk alongside of you and your family. You will also find peer helpers trained to offer support for you and your loved ones as they seek independence at home, school, and in the workplace. We look forward to connecting with you soon! 

 

Blessings,
Shelley, Schuyler, and Cameron Spivey