Middle School Group Support
Executive Functioning Group
Executive Function is the management system of the brain. It includes skills such as working memory, flexible thinking, and impulse control. Many students with learning disabilities have poor executive functioning skills as a result might struggle with goal setting, making a plan, and getting things done. Focusing, following directions, and controlling their emotions can also be a challenge.
Our 8-week program is offered in a small-group setting. Students will have the opportunity to set goals for themselves, and learn the skills they need to successfully complete school assignments and projects.
Skill Development and Practice Areas: organization, study skills, motivation, planning
Dates and Times: Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 pm (starting January 16)
Location: LDAO-C Learning Center, 450-1547 Merivale Road (In Emerald Plaza Tower)
Cost: $250.00
Social Skills Group
Our eight week social skills program is designed to assist children diagnosed with a learning disability and/or ADHD who may struggle with social skills or avoid social contact in the development of social skills and social problem-solving strategies, while also promoting self-esteem. The program will work on skills such as recognizing healthy friendships, regulation when we feel big emotions, active listening, communication and shared interests, and the unspoken social rules of socialization and norms.
Often children with social difficulties might behave immaturely, be shy or timid in groups, frequently fight with peers, and display a lack of self-esteem. This small-group program is a safe environment to unravel all of these unspoken social rules and skills which can be challenging for our students. The program will be interactive and feature group discussion, play-based activities, team building games, and role-playing. In the final session, the program will wrap up with a fun party to practice all of the skills students have learned.
Dates and Times: Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm (starting January 14)
Location: LDAO-C Learning Center, 450-1547 Merivale Road (In Emerald Plaza Tower)
Cost: $250.00
SOAR High School Transition Group
SOAR is the perfect program to help students in grade 8 get ready for the transition to high school! In the 6 week class, facilitators will cover what to expect, how credits work, what the different levels mean, how to get involved to make friends, how to handle peer pressure and how to advocate for yourself. They will work on designing an ideal IEP and learn the language needed to share with teachers what is needed for them to be successful.
Dates and Times: Tuesdays at 6:30-7:30 (Starting April 8)
Location: LDAO-C Learning Center, 450-1547 Merivale Road (In Emerald Plaza Tower)
Cost: $225.00 for 6 weeks
Expressive Writing Skills Group
This eight-week program is designed to help children with learning disabilities and/or ADHD in grades 6-8 who may struggle with expressive writing using group work, videos, and individual writing practice. We will start with learning how to write a sentence and building from there, strategies such as mind mapping, to eventually write a paragraph. Tutors will work with students, using a step-by-step approach, building each week to gain confidence in their writing abilities.
While a computer is recommended, students can write on paper if they choose. Note: This course does not teach printing or handwriting
Dates and Times: COMING SOON
Location: LDAO-C Learning Center, 450-1547 Merivale Road (In Emerald Plaza Tower)
Cost: $250.00
PLEASE NOTE THIS PROGRAM IS NOT CURRENTLY BEING RUN, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, WE CAN OFFER THIS PROGRAM IN A 1:1 SETTING OF 10 SESSIONS FOR $450- EMAIL bailey@ldaottawa.com FOR MORE INFO
WAVE Leadership Program
WAVE is our youth leadership class. It runs for 6 weeks from 6:30-7:30 and is geared for youth 13-15.
Students who complete this winter program will be given first consideration for a spot in our summer leadership camp, where they will further their learning and have a chance to put their skills to the test. Ten hours of the camp will also count towards volunteer hours for high school.
Skill Development and Practice Areas: understanding your leadership style, conflict resolution, listening skills, qualities of a strong leader, regulation and emotional support, celebrating your own unique qualities
Dates and Times: Fridays 6:30-7:30 (Starting January 27)
Location: LDAO-C Learning Center, 450-1547 Merivale Road (In Emerald Plaza Tower)
Cost: $225.00 for 6 weeks