Autistic Support Group
Group Type: Support Group
Goals of the Group:
- Create a safe and supportive space for autistic individuals.
- Promote sharing of experiences and exploration of challenges.
- Develop self-advocacy skills and build coping strategies.
- Foster a sense of community and reduce isolation.
- Promote self-understanding and acceptance.
Who Is The Group For?
- Autistic individuals seeking a safe space for expression.
- Those wanting to develop social and communication strategies.
- Individuals interested in learning self-regulation techniques.
- People looking to connect with peers who share similar experiences.
Discussion Topics:
- Personal experiences with autism.
- Sensory sensitivities and emotional triggers.
- Social communication challenges.
- Self-regulation techniques.
- Building long-term resilience.
What Will We Talk About?
- Sharing individual experiences with autism.
- Personal goals for the group.
- Neurodiversity and self-acceptance.
- Sensory sensitivities and emotional triggers.
- Self-regulation techniques (e.g., grounding exercises, sensory tools).
- Social communication challenges and strategies.
- Personal growth and experiences throughout the group sessions.
- Creating individualized self-care and coping strategy plans.
- Celebrating group accomplishments and reinforcing resilience.
Glimpse of the Session:
Session 1: Introduction and Building Trust
- Sharing individual experiences with autism.
- Overview of neurodiversity and self-acceptance.
- Establishing confidentiality and trust.
- Homework: Reflect on personal strengths and challenges.
Session 2: Understanding and Managing Sensory and Emotional Challenges
- Exploration of sensory sensitivities and emotional triggers.
- Group discussion on personal experiences with sensory overload.
- Sharing self-regulation techniques.
- Homework: Practice a self-regulation technique.
Session 3: Navigating Social Interactions
- Discussion on social communication challenges.
- Role-playing social scenarios to practice communication strategies.
- Group sharing on setting boundaries and self-advocacy.
- Homework: Try a social strategy discussed in the session.
Session 4: Building Long-Term Resilience
- Reflection on personal growth and experiences.
- Creation of an individualized self-care and coping strategy plan.
- Celebrating group accomplishments.
- Homework: Continue using strategies learned and reflect on long-term goals.
Please note that the session topics, order, and other details may be subject to change based on the needs and preferences of the group members and facilitators.
Facilitator Bio:
Facilitator: Soumini Menon
Soumini Menon is a Developmental and Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting children, individuals, and families in navigating life’s challenges and achieving optimal mental well-being. With a deep understanding of human behavior, emotions, and the complexities of the mind, Soumini combines her extensive training in counselling psychology, developmental psychopathology, narrative practices, trauma-informed therapies, and expressive arts to create tailored therapeutic approaches for each client.
She believes in fostering a warm, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients can openly express themselves through words, play, and artistic mediums. Soumini employs evidence-based techniques to address a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, neurodiversity, parental distress, grief and loss, trauma, self-esteem, career challenges, and personal growth.
Soumini works collaboratively with clients to uncover underlying factors contributing to their distress, empowering them to develop effective coping strategies and achieve their therapeutic goals. With her expertise, dedication, and genuine compassion, she strives to provide a safe space for healing and growth, helping individuals and families discover their own paths to resilience and happiness.
Soumini Menon is a Developmental and Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting children, individuals, and families in navigating life’s challenges and achieving optimal mental well-being. With a deep understanding of human behavior, emotions, and the complexities of the mind, Soumini combines her extensive training in counselling psychology, developmental psychopathology, narrative practices, trauma-informed therapies, and expressive arts to create tailored therapeutic approaches for each client.
She believes in fostering a warm, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients can openly express themselves through words, play, and artistic mediums. Soumini employs evidence-based techniques to address a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, neurodiversity, parental distress, grief and loss, trauma, self-esteem, career challenges, and personal growth.
Soumini works collaboratively with clients to uncover underlying factors contributing to their distress, empowering them to develop effective coping strategies and achieve their therapeutic goals. With her expertise, dedication, and genuine compassion, she strives to provide a safe space for healing and growth, helping individuals and families discover their own paths to resilience and happiness.
