Service groups
Many parents and children find that being part of a group is great fun and a good way to learn how to include a child’s therapy into everyday life. The following groups are only provided by Novita if there is sufficient demand. Parents of Novita clients should contact their regional office to find out groups currently being run.
On this page
Introduction
Services are delivered through many different types of groups. These change from time to time, depending upon the needs of the children and families. Groups are held in places such as:
- Child care centres
- Preschools
- Novita regional offices
- Kindergyms.
Parents can get involved in groups by:
helping to set goals that they want their children to achieve at the group- working with the therapists to plan the group
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What parents may gain from attending a group
Attending a group provides parents with the opportunity to:
- meet and share ideas and concerns with other parents
- gain the support of a group of people who are going through similar experience
- talk over their child's progress with therapists
learn about how they can best help their child by including ’therapy’ into everyday life- see their child in a different light, achieving things that they may not have expected
- see other children with similar needs and greater level of disability to their own
- learn about the variety of equipment, toys, books and services available for their child
- see their child have fun and make friends.
What children may gain from attending a group
When children attend a group they have the opportunity to:
have fun!- learn social skills by playing with other children and making friends
- try new activities and skills in a safe place
- improve their ability to pay attention when doing tasks
- learn group skills such as taking turns, listening, choosing, passing things on, waiting
- get used to a place other than their home (good preparation for pre-school and school)
- express themselves
- experience success!
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Types of groups provided by Novita
Early intervention groups
These groups are provided for very young children, up to pre-school age. Activities for children and their parents assist the children to develop a wide range of skills. Parents also learn how to work with their children to promote these skills.
These groups, formerly known as hydrotherapy groups, encourage the children to have lots of fun while learning to move and play in the water. The warm water encourages relaxation of muscles and reduced effect of gravity enables children to learn to move more easily. Parents or carers attend with the children and the sessions are designed and run by therapists. Floatation devices may sometimes be used.
The groups are run at local pools by physiotherapists with input by other therapists.
What parents have to say about aquatic therapy groups
- "People are friendly, we have made friends, also our daughter has learnt lots from it".
- "My son has really enjoyed hydrotherapy and has improved so much in the last few weeks - keep up the good work".
- "It is an informal friendly group where we can meet other people with their child who has a form of disability and understand other people's hardships".
Contact a physiotherapist for more information about aquatic therapy and ideas for movement and play in the water.
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Groups with a focus on sensory experience
These are groups where children are given the chance to experience a range of different sensations, such as different types of touch, textures, sounds, smells and lights.
Gym and fitness groups
- Are often set up for school-aged or adolescent children.
- Help young people develop good fitness and exercise habits, valuable into the future.
- Are a great way to building up strength, fitness and endurance helping young people to feel more confident about their bodies.
- Provide a way for young people to meet other people their age and make new friends.
For further information, talk to a physiotherapist.
The Parent-Child Mother Goose program is a fun and relaxed group experience for parents and their young children with a focus on early communication and literacy skills through songs, rhymes and stories. Some groups may be called 'Rockin’ Robins'.
What parents say about these groups
- “I will miss seeing J’s eyes light up and get excited when we sing together as a group”.
- “Good for social interaction with other mothers and children in the same situation as us - for the first time I felt I had other people I could relate to”.
- “It provides a unique opportunity for a caregiver and child to learn new, and enhance already learned communication techniques in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable forum”.
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) groups
These groups are designed for both parents and children to experience AAC and learn about it’s potential for social contact and participation with friends, family and strangers.
Hanen Parent Groups
The Hanen program It Takes Two To Talk, is a family-centred program that supports families to understand and use natural conversation to help children's early language development.
What parents say about Hanen Parent Groups
- "E has changed a lot in these past months with lots of obvious communication attempts".
- "The classes were fun and I learnt a lot".
- "I learnt a whole new way of communication with S".
View the factsheet 
Hanen Parent Information Sheet (PDF - 39 Kb)
Songs to Promote Early Language and Learning (SPELL) groups, run by speech pathologists and a skilled community artist:
- SPELL music groups provide information about the benefits of songs for learning and communication
- SPELL books groups provide information about emerging literacy for young children with complex communication needs.
- provide tips and tricks to help parents and carers sing confidently with children
- are run as a relaxed group session for parents and their children (parents can attend without their child)
- use songs specially developed by Novita and Gorgeousworld (funded by ArtsSA Health Promotion).
What parents say about SPELL groups
- "Energetic, fun & extremely informative - it felt easy & I felt encouraged to try things I've never done before".
- "New ways of presenting songs (ideas for old songs). Very upbeat and enjoyable".
- "Very catchy songs that were easy to learn & very enjoyable".
- "Great songs & great sign language. Good to have the CD & book to take home, really helps".
- "It was fun, informative & the songs were tuneful & easy to sing & Louis enjoyed them & took part with actions".
View/download the range of songboards used for a variety of songs including 'Hello Hello', 'Go Little Fish', 'See you later matey' and more.
A SPELL Music Kit containing all the SPELL Music resources can be purchased from Novita. Simply download, complete and email the order form to us. View the SPELL Music order form
Go to the SPELL books page
View the SPELL Music SPELL Books order form (MS Word - 44Kb)
Send an online message to the Novita SPELL co-ordinator
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Yackety Yack camps
Camp Yackety Yack is a weekend camp for children with complex communication needs and their families that assists families to improve their communication with the child who uses a communication device.
Check out the slide show of the last Yackety Yack camp (PDF - large file - 3.6 Mb)
Groups at Kindergyms provide an opportunity for children with a physical disability to safely use play equipment and gain gross motor skills in the process.
Social groups for young people
Groups that provide an opportunities for children and adolescents to get together socially can be of great benefit to clients who attend ‘regular’ or mainstream schools, and who may otherwise feel isolated because they are the only person in their school with a physical disability.
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What parents and young people say about social groups
Some of the comments made by parents and children who have been involved in social groups:
- ‘I think the youth group is very important because it helps the children get to know each other better, make new friends, to be included in activities, support each other and know that they are not alone’ (parent).
- ‘I went to another club and they have harder activities and I felt left out. The youth club always has suitable games and I never feel left out. I find it easy to talk to the members, they understand me’ (teenager).
- ‘My daughter is not so lonely since the youth group started. Her social life is a lot better, being invited to birthday parties, going to the pictures, bowling and making and receiving phone calls with friends in the youth club’ (parent).
- ‘The youth group has helped me to try new things. It has also helped with a huge amount of self confidence’ (teenage client).
Parents interested in attending or setting up a school aged or adolescent group are encouraged to contact a psychologist or occupational therapist.
Disclaimer Detail: The above information on is of a general nature only and does not constitute advice. Novita Children's Services makes no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy, usefulness, suitability or application of the information to a child's particular circumstances. Use of the information above is at your sole risk, and you should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the information. Novita Children's Services accepts no liability for any damages or loss that may arise from the use of, or any omission from, the information provided.
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