50 Date updated: 25.08.2023 next review: 24.09.2024 contextually relevant communication, the reinforcement of environments and activities that involve some natural language being used (Goosens’, Crain and Elder, 1992; Cafiero, 2001). ALS incorporates receptive language therapy using visual symbols alongside the use of speech. It is interactive and uses symbolic communication on a range of aids including picture boards, high-tech aids and communication books. The communication partner touches the symbols and simultaneously speaks to the learner receiving the intervention to support and develop the functions of communication including questioning, responding, commenting and initiating. Social Skills Children and young people with autism often experience difficulties with their social communication skills. This includes difficulties with turn-taking, understanding emotions, understanding literal language (e.g. idioms), non-verbal language (e.g. facial expressions, eye contact, gesture) and making inferences (e.g. understanding what is not explicitly stated). Overley Halls offers a variety of different social skills groups that aim to develop skills such as greeting others, developing self-esteem, starting and maintaining a conversation, sharing and taking turns, developing reciprocal interactions and asking for help. Theraplay Theraplay (Jemberg and Booth, 2001) is a structured play therapy for children and their parents/carers. Its goal is to enhance attachment, self-esteem, trust in others and joyful engagement. The sessions are fun, physical, personal and interactive and replicate the natural, healthy interaction between parents/carers and learners. Developed over 50 years ago, and practiced around the world, Theraplay was developed for any professional working to support healthy child/caregiver attachment. Strong attachment between the child and important adults in their life has long been believed to be the basis of lifelong good mental health as well as the mainstay of resilience in the face of adversity. Modern brain research and the field of neuros neuroscience have shown that attachment is the way in which children come to understand, trust and thrive in their world. (https://theraplay.org/what-is-theraplay/). At Overley we use the principles and practices of Theraplay which are led by two staff trained at Theraplay Level 1.
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