Confidence Connection
Play Dates
What is "Play Dates"?

Play dates is a program developed for children who require more support than the 2:1 ratio offered in our typical social group progam. The program provides each learner a 1:1 therapist and  matches them to a group of peer models. In some instances is this may be a  "typical" peer if one is available or this may be a social group of peers with significantly higher verbal/language abilities.

Play Dates Objectives

Goal Area-Video Modeling:

OBJECTIVE: Student will demonstrate targeted play schemes and vocal scripts with 90% accuracy using video modeling.

TEACHING METHOD:

  • Student will watch video modeling clips of targeted activities

Goal Area-Social Interest

OBJECTIVE: Student will attend to peers in the group for 75% of the session time with a 2:1 ratio. Data collection will be taken using partial interval recording.

TEACHING METHOD:

  •   Student will accept highly preferred items from the peer.
  •   Student will give requested items to the peer.
  •   Student will approach the peer; all ready involved in a preferred activity. 
  •   Student will imitate a peer’s actions.

Goal Area-Group Instruction

OBJECTIVES:
  • Student will sit appropriately in a small group (4-5 children) for 15-minutes, given a 2:1 ratio.
  • Student will attend to the Lead Teacher in a small group for 75% of the time, given a 2:1 ratio. Data will be collected using partial interval recording.

TEACHING METHOD:

  • Student will pair attention to teacher with reinforcement using a FR1.
  • Student will pair sitting with peers with reinforcement using a DRO.

Goal Area-Classroom Routines

OBJECTIVE: Student will follow daily routines (schedule, group instructions) with 50% of the time without prompts.

TEACHING METHOD:

  • Student will use gestural cues to follow single step directions with a VR1 schedule of reinforcement

Goal Area-Generalized Responding

OBJECTIVE: Student will generalize mastered video modeling activities into the group setting maintaining 80% accuracy with both the play schemes and the verbal scripts.

TEACHING METHOD:

  • Student will engage in parallel play using mastered activities
  • Student will engage in mastered activities using different materials (i.e. different vehicles, different doll house, etc.)

Prerequisites:

  • The learner must be able to mand for (request) at least 25 items and at least 10 action from familiar adults.
  • The learner must be able to follow simple routine directions from familiar adults. Example: "Throw it away." "Come here."
  • The learner must be able to exhibit 2-3 play schemes with at least 3 activities.
  • If the learner does not have the above prerequisite skills they may be appropriate for 1:1 ABA therapy to target communication and language skills.

How to Enroll:

Interested parents should contact the clinic and request an intake. All intakes are approximately 45-60 minutes long and will be completed by the Director or Assistant Director. Once the intake has been completed, recommendations for services will be provided. Upon acceptance of the recommendations the learner will be matched to a peer group and scheduled for his/her first session. Sessions are scheduled around the individual schedules of the learner, the peer and the availability of a therapist.