At Esperanza Speech and Occupational Therapy Centre in Dubai, we offer the CONNECT Program, a specialised therapeutic initiative designed to enhance social cognition and communication skills in children, including those with autism and other developmental challenges. Our program is designed to provide children with the tools they need to understand and navigate social interactions effectively, while also improving emotional intelligence and overall social competence.

Common Social Challenges Addressed in the CONNECT Program

The CONNECT Program is designed for children who face difficulties in key areas of social cognition and communication, including:

• Difficulty Understanding Social Cues and Perspectives: Children may struggle with interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, which are essential for successful communication and social interactions.
• Challenges in Responding Appropriately to Social Situations: Children may have trouble navigating social norms and reacting in socially acceptable ways, which can result in misunderstandings or social isolation.
• Struggles with Forming and Maintaining Friendships: Many children with autism or other developmental delays find it hard to initiate and sustain friendships due to challenges in social engagement, empathy, and shared interests.
• Need for Support in Developing Social Communication Skills: Children may find it difficult to understand and engage in conversations, express emotions appropriately, or participate in reciprocal social interactions.

Evidence-Based Treatment Methods in the CONNECT Program

The Social Skills Therapy programme, CONNECT integrates the latest evidence-based practices to enhance social cognition and communication skills. Our tailored approach is designed to address the unique needs of each child, utilizing scientifically supported techniques and strategies to achieve the best outcomes.

1. Comprehensive Social Assessment

The program begins with a thorough social assessment to evaluate the child’s social cognition, perspective-taking abilities, and social communication skills. This assessment helps us pinpoint the child’s strengths and areas requiring support, allowing us to develop a customized early intervention plan.

2. Individualized Intervention Plans

Based on the assessment results, we create a personalized intervention plan for each child. These plans focus on teaching core social thinking concepts, such as:

• Understanding others’ thoughts and emotions
• Developing perspective-taking skills
• Problem-solving in social situations
• Improving emotional regulation during interactions These individualized plans ensure that therapy is both adaptable and focused on the child’s unique needs, helping children with autism or developmental challenges make meaningful social progress.

3. Skill-Building Activities

The CONNECT Programme incorporates engaging, interactive skill-building activities designed to improve:

• Expressive and receptive communication
• The ability to initiate and maintain conversations
• Emotional regulation and coping strategies for managing anxiety and frustration in social settings Our occupational therapy team uses sensory integration and motor planning techniques to address any additional challenges, providing a well-rounded developmental experience for the child.

4. Group Therapy Sessions

In addition to individualized therapy, children participate in group therapy sessions where they practice social skills in a supportive, real-world setting. These structured sessions help children:

• Interact with peers in a safe, guided environment
• Practice turn-taking, sharing, and collaborative problem-solving
• Learn to navigate social dynamics and build confidence in group settings Group therapy reinforces skills learned in individual sessions, allowing children to practice them in everyday social situations.

5. Parent and Caregiver Training

We recognize that families play an essential role in supporting the child’s social development.

The CONNECT Program includes parent and caregiver training, providing families with the knowledge and tools to reinforce social thinking concepts at home and in daily activities. Through this training, parents will learn:

• How to support social communication at home
• Effective strategies for fostering social skills in real-world situations
• Techniques for promoting emotional regulation and coping mechanisms for social challenges

Why Choose Esperanza’s CONNECT Program in Dubai, UAE?

The CONNECT Program at Esperanza is a specialized group therapy initiative aimed at enhancing overall social development in children. Unlike traditional social communication programs, our approach focuses on building a comprehensive set of social skills that empower children to understand and effectively navigate everyday social interactions. The program supports children across a wide range of ages, from preschool through middle school, helping them cultivate positive peer relationships and develop essential life skills.

Ideal Candidates for the Program

• Children who need help refining their pragmatic language skills to match their age level
• Those who struggle with learning how to collaborate and interact appropriately with peers
• Children who have good verbal abilities, as the program is designed for those who can participate in conversations
• Children who are able to engage in group activities without frequent sensory breaks
• Children with Cochlear Implants Needing Social Skills Training: For children with cochlear implants who require social skills development, we offer specialized Cochlear Implant Speech Therapy Programs to support their communication needs.

The CONNECT Program is most beneficial for children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), provided they have foundational language skills within normal limits.

Program Groups

• “The Star Sprouts” (Preschool, ages 3-6)
• “The Rising Stars” (Elementary, ages 6-11)
• “The Stellar Teens” (Middle School, ages 11-13)

Focus Areas of the Program:

• Mastering appropriate greeting techniques and introductions
• Understanding and utilizing body language effectively
• Practicing turn-taking in conversations and games
• Maintaining a conversation and responding appropriately to topic shifts
• Recognizing social cues and adjusting behavior accordingly
• Participating in cooperative play and peer interactions

Additional Program Information

• The CONNECT Program is led by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and an Occupational Therapist with a group size of 1:5
• Children may attend up to 2 sessions, and recommendations for additional sessions will be made based on progress
• Group placements are determined by age and specific needs, with children placed according to our waiting list

At Esperanza, our CONNECT Program provides more than just social communication skills. It helps children develop a well-rounded set of social competencies, ensuring they build self-confidence and foster strong, positive relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Discover our range of services at https://esperanzaelc.com/programmes/. Get in touch through our contact page at https://esperanzaelc.com/contact/. Call or WhatsApp us at +971 55 524 1094 to schedule a free consultation.