Teen Boys' Social Group
The Teen Boys' Social Group at Mitcham Clinic, located within Mitcham Square Shopping Centre, provides a structured but flexible environment for high school-aged boys to enhance their social network under the guidance of Tevita, an educational therapist and experienced disability educator. Sessions are held every Friday night from 5 to 7 PM, with support from an allied health assistant as needed.
Program Details:
When and where? Every Friday night, 5-7 PM at Mitcham Clinic, Mitcham Square Shopping Centre. The clinic is on level 1, across from Wallis Cinemas.
Facilitator: Tevita, an educational therapist skilled in disability education, supported occasionally by an allied health assistant.
For whom? High school-aged boys.
Cost: Sessions are priced at $95 each per week, including dinner and most activity costs. NDIS funding can be used to cover the fee. Participants will be informed in advance about any special activities that may incur additional costs.
Focus Areas:
1. Conversation
2. Choosing and Keeping Friends
3. Online and Social Media Communication
4. Handling Teasing and Bullying
5. Managing Arguments and Disagreements
6. Sportsmanship and dealing with winning and losing
7. Dealing with Rumours and Gossip
8. Hosting Skills
9. Compromise and taking turns to share interests
The group is designed specifically for high school-aged boys, encourages participants to commit for an entire term to foster a stable and supportive environment. This commitment helps the group to gel, allowing friendships to develop more naturally over time.
The Teen Boys' Social Group emphasises creating a safe and neuroaffirmative space where teenage boys can truly be themselves without the need to mask or alter their natural behaviours. This inclusive environment encourages each member to develop genuine friendships and build a support network that understands and values their unique perspectives. It is hoped to enhance participants' self-esteem and social confidence in various settings.
We are encouraging boys to stay for the full term helps establish continuity and comfort among group members, which is crucial for nurturing genuine friendships.
While the sessions are structured to provide guidance, the primary goal is not to teach social skills in a traditional sense. Instead, the environment is crafted to let friendships flourish naturally, with Tevita, the educational therapist, providing subtle guidance and support where needed. His role includes facilitating discussions and activities that promote mutual understanding and respect among the groups.
By focusing on these areas in a relaxed and supportive setting, the Teen Boys' Social Group allows each participant to engage at their own pace, promoting a sense of belonging and community. The hope is that these school-term interactions will lead to lasting friendships that extend beyond the weekly meetings, enhancing each boy's social network and emotional well-being.
