What is the focus of the group? To help your child learn how to recognise and manage their own feelings, and develop personal coping strategies and social skills.

Who can join? The program is designed for 9 -12 year olds.

When is the group? Each school term

How long is the group? Nine weekly after-school sessions of 1.5 hours

Secret Agent Society (SAS) is the premier social skills and emotional regulation intervention program for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other social and emotional difficulties. Children enjoy playing the spy – themed computer game, Helpful Thought Missile action game, Challenger board game and Secret Message Transmission Device walkie-talkie game. Resources are provided to support you as parents. Recent research has shown that this evidence – based program, developed by the Social Skills Training Institute, leads to dramatic improvements in emotional regulation and social skills in children with ASD. Currently it demonstrates the most clinically significant change published in the world for a social skills program for ASD.

The Connect Psychology program is run by our Psychologists who have been trained and accredited as SAS facilitators. Your child will work in a small group of 3 or 4 children of similar developmental stage and skill level. As well as games and activities, there are homework tasks, using the computer program and parent-led activities. The program also includes 2 parent- only meetings of approximately 1 hour. The intensive program benefits children who are able to cooperate with these activities, in the sessions and at home, and who have family support to undertake the homework activities. Connect Psychology offers the SAS program with Medicare or private health benefits applying, or as part of an NDIS intervention, making it an affordable option for families in South Australia.