Sometimes the best way to learn a new skill is to shadow someone with more experience than you. Ducklings do this when they follow their mother across the street. Children do the same with their parents. To encourage emotional and social skill development for children with autism, peer modelling and group activities set a great example. At Monarch House we make use of the following strategies to create supportive learning environments and leverage natural interactions among peers.

Here are ten ways that peer modelling and group activity methods can significantly benefit children with autism Toronto.

1. Improving Communication

Just like sailing, being a functional part of a dynamic team necessitates communication between all the parties. The collaborative tasks that group activities involve often require clear verbal and non-verbal communication. By engaging in these activities, your child will learn how to express themselves and interpret the communication of others. Overall, this group setting will enhance communication skills for children with autism.

2. Fostering Emotional Understanding

Give your child the chance to walk a mile in another’s shoes. Participating in group activities will help your child with autism develop emotional awareness. They can observe their peers’ reactions in various social situations, learning emotional regulation for children with autism, which is essential for empathetic interactions.

3. Building Confidence

Perfect practice makes perfect, even when it comes to social scenarios. There’s a little trial and error in social scenarios, as well as an element of working up courage. However, the positive reinforcement your child will receive from peers and adults will encourage them to engage in even more social interactions, which in turn helps them gain confidence in their abilities. Not only that, just by successfully participating in group settings, you can boost your child’s self-esteem. 

4. Enhancing Social Skills

You want your child to be learning from the behaviours of others in a positive, structured environment. This is where Monarch House can offer the right forum. Peer modelling allows children with autism to observe and mimic social behaviors demonstrated by their peers. Your child can learn key skills like sharing, initiating conversations, and taking turns, simply through observation. These are fundamental social skills that are vital for successful interactions.

5. Encouraging Friendship Development

Wouldn’t it be nice for your child with autism to meet a bunch of new friends? That’s one of the ideas behind the social groups at Monarch House. Peer interactions can lead to meaningful friendships. Children with autism have opportunities to form bonds with their peers, which can provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, simply by engaging in group activities.

6. Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

Working as a team allows your child to build invaluable social and communication skills. Challenges that require negotiation and collaboration are all a part of group activities. At Monarch House’s group sessions, your child will learn critical thinking and build teamwork skills. As a group, children with autism (and their parents) learn how to approach problems, discuss solutions, and work together with peers.

7. Promoting Inclusion

Camaraderie is a powerful feeling. It’s inspiring to be a part of something that’s bigger than just yourself. For that to happen your child needs to feel like they’re an accepted part of the group. Peer modelling and group activities can create an inclusive environment where children with autism feel valued and respected. It’s bigger than that even. Inclusion in the community for children with autism is a big part of what Monarch House represents. It fosters a culture of understanding and reduces stigma, encouraging all children to participate and support one another.

8. Facilitating Generalization of Skills

You don’t become smooth in social situations overnight. Your child will surely stumble, and put their foot in their mouth a few times—and that’s okay! It’s going to take repeated practice in various group settings for your child to feel comfortable applying learned social skills across different contexts. This is where role play with Monarch House’s behavioural therapy and occupational therapy for children with autism can really help. MH’s autism services allow them to apply what they’ve learned in new situations, whether at home, school, or in the community.

9. Providing Structured Social Interactions

Some communication strategies for children with autism include peer modelling and groups. Group activities can be structured to promote specific social skills, such as cooperative play or team collaboration. This structure helps children with autism understand expectations and engage more effectively with their peers.

10. Encouraging Positive Behavior

There are healthy habits to be learned. For instance, if your child is at Monarch House in a group session observing how their peers engage in positive behaviours, this can inspire your child with autism to emulate these actions. Patience, kindness, and cooperation are just a few of the positive peer interactions they can take in. These attributes will set a new standard for their behaviour. Monarch House’s behavioiural therapy for children with autism helps to reinforce good practices and works towards creating a supportive community through these groups.

Just like ducklings in a pond swimming in a row behind their mother, children follow the behaviour of their parents and peers. For this reason, group activities and peer modelling are powerful models for supporting children with autism. At Monarch House, some of the benefits we see are: improved communication, enhanced social skills, and bolstered emotional understanding. It also encourages new friendships too. These strategies create inclusive environments where all children can thrive. Emphasizing peer interactions is not only advantageous for children with autism in Toronto. It also enriches the experiences of their typically developing peers. Overall it builds a culture of cooperation and empathy.