Spring Break Self-Advocacy Group
Booking for Spring Break 2026
Help your child understand their needs and express them with confidence.
Many children experience sensory or academic overwhelm during the school day, but they often lack the language to explain what is happening for them. This Spring Break, we are offering a small, supportive group where children ages 8–10 can learn how to understand their strengths, describe their challenges, and communicate their needs clearly and respectfully. The group is led by experienced speech-language pathologists who specialize in neurodiversity-affirming practice.
Parents frequently tell us that they want their child to speak up when something feels too loud, too fast, too confusing, or too difficult, but they are unsure how to teach those skills. This group provides a structured space for children to practice those conversations, build confidence, and feel understood by adults and peers
What Your Child Will Gain
A deeper understanding of themselves.
Your child will learn how to recognize what helps them and what makes participation harder. They will explore their strengths and challenges in a way that feels safe and validating.
Practical tools they can use right away.
Children will identify which supports, accommodations, and sensory strategies help them, and they will learn how to ask for these tools during real-life situations at school and at home.
Assertive communication skills.
Your child will learn what it means to be assertive rather than passive or aggressive. They will practice specific phrases and scripts that they can use with teachers, peers, and family members.
Supportive peer experiences.
Children will learn how to listen to peers, notice what others may find challenging, and offer encouragement or suggestions. These experiences often reduce shame and create a sense of shared understanding.
Opportunities to share their skills.
Children will participate in small social-action activities that help them use their new advocacy skills with the adults who support them, including teachers, parents, and caregivers
What We Will Cover
Recognize and define their personal strengths, needs, and challenges
Learn how to identify tools and supports that help them participate comfortably
Understand what respectful, assertive communication looks and sounds like
Practice real-life advocacy scripts in a predictable and supportive setting
Build empathy and offer supportive suggestions to peers
Apply their skills through small social-action tasks at home or school
Each session follows a consistent routine so children always know what to expect: check-in, learning, practice, and reflection.
Who This Group Is For
This group is ideal for children ages 8–10 who:
Have sensory differences, learning differences, ADHD, autism, anxiety, or other neurodivergent profiles
Mask or stay quiet even when something is difficult
Have trouble explaining what they need or why something feels overwhelming
Freeze or shut down when they need help
Would benefit from learning clear, concrete ways to communicate their needs to trusted adults
A formal diagnosis is not required. If you see your child in any of the descriptions above, this group may be a strong fit.
If you believe this group would support your child, you may reserve a place by completing our short registration form. After you submit your information, we will contact you to confirm fit, answer questions, and share next steps.
Program Details
Dates: [Insert dates]
Schedule: [Insert days and times]
Location: #320- 5172 Kingsway Avenue, Burnaby
Group Size: 8-9
Facilitators: Jessica Barclay, M.Sc RSLP(C)
Program Fee per child: [Insert cost]
We keep group sizes small to ensure each child receives individualized support and opportunities to participate comfortably.