Meeting Street Therapeutic Groups

It's so much fun, the kids don't know it's therapy!
Groups Now Enrolling!! 

Children who come to Meeting Street therapeutic groups have fun! Little do they know that their fun is leading to improved skills. We offer a wide range of therapeutic groups for children as part of their treatment plan. In a group setting, children benefit from interacting with one another while simultaneously working on their skill development. They also naturally push themselves to do their best – or even to be the best in the group. Our highly qualified occupational and physical therapists and speech/language pathologists lead Meeting Street group therapy sessions.

Groups are offered for children ages 3-12 who need help with:
• Sensory integration                 • Endurance
• Impulse control                       • Fine motor skills
• Coordination                           • Social skills
• Motor planning                        • Attention span
• Language comprehension        • Body strength
• Handwriting readiness             • Recreational skills

Join a Therapy Group! (See information below)
Meeting Street is pleased to offer children a variety of therapeutic groups addressing a range of therapy needs for children aged 3 - 11. Attending a group therapy session at Meeting Street is an ideal way for a child to extend therapy sessions received during the school year so skills developed during the year are retained and improved.


The Festival Ballet Providence and Meeting Street once again partnered for a Summer Adaptive Dance Program

Ages 6 months - 3 years:

Climbing Kids
Climbing Kids is a motor and movement group designed for early walkers or children close to walking with motor and speech needs.  This group works on developing higher-level walking/climbing skills, improving fine motor skills, and teaching speech and language skills such as following directions, and increasing vocabulary.  Parents will remain in the class and assist their children in interacting with equipment, singing, etc.

Mini Movers
Mini Movers is a motor and music group for children 6 months to walking who have motor and/or speech needs.  This group is designed to teach parents how best to assist their child in developing both gross and fine motor skills in a fun interactive environment  that also teaches speech and language skills as following simple directions, imitating movements, and increasing vocabulary.

Gymboree
Gymboree is a group designed to encourage development through play and learning with our seven-level program designed to support your child's growth at his or her own individual pace. From sensory stimulation to problem-solving games and storytelling, our classes use play-based activities to stretch the body and mind.

Little Splashers
Little Splashers is a weekly therapeutic swim program that is designed for children 6 months to 3 years of age with sensory-motor needs.  The therapeutic properties of water such as heat, buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, density and turbulence assist in addressing the child’s sensory, neuro-developmental, and gross/fine motor skills. Parents/caregivers are required to be in the pool with their child to ensure a one to one setting at all times.


Ages 18 months - 3 years:

Crafty Kids
Crafty Kids addresses fine motor skills through both art and sensory play with children while parents learn to carry over such activities at home.  We will do “messy art” as well as some structured fine motor activities to build control and muscles in the hands.  We will also explore different textures for children who may be sensitive or need extra input from these activities to attend to the language piece of the group.  Children will also be encouraged to build vocabulary through books and songs with repetitive phrases and tactile objects.  Children will also learn to follow simple directions by learning a routine and cleaning up after activities.

Little Learners
Little Splashers is a weekly developmental playgroup designed for children who have social interaction and speech/language needs.  Toys, music, and activities will be used to encourage the use and development of social skills, language skills, and educating families.  This group is designed to teach parents how to best assist their children in developing social and language skills in a caring and supportive environment.

The Music Group
The Music Group provides a multi-sensory experience that nurtures total development through an interactive music and movement experience.  Through music, song, and interactive games; the music group is a fun social goup that promotes and supports bonding between parent and child through music and play.  One caregiver is required to be present for each child.

Connections
Connections are a set of therapeutic groups designed for children with social communication disorders OR risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Children may exhibit deficits in social relationships, social communication, behavioral regulation and/ or play. This group will utilize a variety of strategies to support independence, social interactions, play, language comprehension and expression. These strategies will include but not limited to visual schedules, intense teaching, environmental structure, visual play books, total communication and sensory integration.  Parent education is an integral aspect to the Connections group as it allows for family members to observe their child and learn strategies from the Meeting Street staff.


Ages 2 - 3 years:

Saturday Playgroup

Saturday Playgroup is a weekly interactive group designed for children ages 2 years of age and up who are experiencing challenges with parent separation, speech/language, play skills and cognitive development. The children will have opportunities to practice a variety of developmental skills (receptive and expressive language, cognitive development, fine and gross motor).  Playgroup is designed to have the parents interact with their child in a group setting but also incorporates the parent support and education piece.  Parents will separate from the child to participate in learning more about a specific area of development each week.

Wednesday Playgroup
Wednesday Play Group is an interactive playgroup designed for children 2-3 years of age with socialization and speech/language needs.  This play group offers a structured environment incorporating music, sensory play, structures activities and movement to encourage motor development, listening skills, language/communication skills, peer interaction and social skills required for preschool readiness.

Tiny Talkers

Tiny Talkers is a weekly group designed for children 2-3 years old who present language delays and require modeling and support to build up their skills to a conversational level. EI Staff will coach parents to use strategies designed to increase social and language development.

Step Ahead
Step Ahead is a therapeutic playgroup designed for toddlers 2-3 years of age who are experiencing challenges with sensory integration, speech and language development, and/or cognitive development.  The purpose of this group is to prepare children for a placement in their local community by offering each child visual supports and a therapeutic routine which fosters self help skills and independence.  The children enrolled in this group are supported by an Educator, SLP and Occupational Therapist or COTA.   This group also incorporates a parent separation group offering caregivers the opportunity for education, support, ideas, and a chance to network with others in the community.


Ages 3-5:

Finger Fun (Occupational Therapy)
Finger Fun addresses the foundational skills necessary for handwriting through play and the use of a structured multi-sensory approach. Small group instruction allows for individualized attention and parent consultation. Entertaining games and activities will engage your child and prepare them for the hands-on learning of handwriting.

Speech, Oral, Sensory Motor Group (SOS) (Speech/Language & Occupational Therapy)
SOS is a language and sensory based group helps pre-school children develop and refine peer interaction, language processing and develop readiness sensory motor skills in preparation for kindergarten. Our Speech and Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist will use play-based music, games, stories, craft and movement activities geared toward the preschool aged child. Small group instruction will allow for individualized attention, peer interaction/support, and parent consultation.

Pencil Pals (Occupational Therapy)

Eenie Meanie Minie Moe (Speech/Language, Occupational Therapy & Social Skills)

Ages 13 - 19 years:
 
Let's Hang Out (Speech/Language & Occupational Therapy)
Let's Hang Out is a therapeutic group that teaches participants leisure skills, group dynamics, behavior regualtion, and effective communication essential for social interactions.

Ages 3 years and older:

Therapy In Motion (Physical & Occupational Therapy & Social Skills)
Therapy In Motion is a sensory based fitness group that combines social interaction and physical fitness, into one fun-filled hour.  Group members will be given the opportunity to use a variety of equipment and activities to improve endurance, coordination, and attention span.

Kids on Wheels Level 1 (Physical & Occupational Therapy)
Kids on Wheels Level 1 is a weekly program designed to teach children balance, steering, and prepare them for riding a bicycle. The group will focus on developing the skills needed to safely start, stop, and steer with control. Balance and strength will be addressed using a variety of equipment.

Healthy Kids (Physical & Occupational Therapy)
Healthy Kids Bootcamp is a group designed to address obesity, nutrition, endurance, health and activity of daily living issues related to heightened BMIs (Body Mass Index).  The group participants will be guided through strengthening and endurance activities, complete homework assignments, attend group two times a week, improve eating patterns, and have occasional weight and height checks to assess BMI.

How Does Your Engine Run? (Occupational & Speech/Language Therapy & Sensory Processing)
How Does Your Engine Run is a group designed to teach children (ages 6 years and older) how to recognize their levels of alertness and its relation to behavior, learning and attention. This program will help your child identify and further develop his/her self-regulation strategies. Entertaining games and activities will be used to help your child develop strategies to keep their “engine running just right”. Small group instruction will allow for individualized attention, peer interaction/support, and parent consultation.

On My Own (Occupational Therapy & Social Skills)
On My Own is a therapeutic program designed to promote increased independence with self-care activities of daily living such as meal prep, typing, showering, brushing teeth, etc.  Group participants will get the added benefit of it being a social group setting.

Chatter Matters (Speech/Language Therapy)
Chatter Matters uses Social Thinking Curriculum to teach individuals to think about others, mnitor and alter their own behaviors, initiate and effectively communicate with others, and resolve conflicts.


Space is limited. Register today! To register or for more information regarding the details and cost of each program, please call 401-533-9104.

Payment Options for Groups: Billing Insurance with corresponding co-payments (Blue Cross and Medicaid accepted) or Self Pay.

Discipline specific evaluations are required for each child upon registration.