Programs

In addition to ongoing therapy, we offer programs tailored for specific populations.

Our programs are available as a supplement to regular therapy and/or for patients who do not receive ongoing therapy at Little Tesoros.

These programs are offered for a specific amount of time (for example, for 2 weeks in a row) and are usually offered at regular intervals throughout the year. Below you will find descriptions for our current program offerings.

For more information about any of our programs or to request an application please call us at 512-248-2422 or email us.

Additionally, if you are interested in our programs, but have concerns about the cost, ask us how we may be able to help you obtain funding.

Select a link to learn more about the programs on this page:

Social Language Groups: SoCo Club
Social Language Groups: Social Caterpillars
Social Language Groups: Social Butterflies
Social Language Groups: Batter and Chatter
Motor Skills: Get the Right Moves with Handwriting Without Tears
Motor Skills: One World Karate

Email Us About Programs

Social Language Groups

Little Tesoros is excited to offer a variety of group programs that address pragmatic communication skills, also described as social skills or social communication.

These abilities determine how we use verbal and non-verbal language to communicate with others.

A child may be effective in saying words clearly, using correct grammar, and understanding complex information but may still have a communication difficulty if they have not yet mastered the rules of social interaction that may seem instinctual to some.

Please see the links below for more information about social language skills.

Pragmatic Development (PDF)
Social Skills (PDF)

SoCo Club

A social communication group for kids led by a Speech-Language Pathologist at LTTS.

Who

3-5 children per group
Ages 6-8 or 9-12
1 Speech-Language Pathologist

Objective

Often, social communication skills are difficult to practice in one-on-one therapy. Each day of SoCo Club will focus on:

Conversation skills including turn-taking and topic maintenance
Flexible thinking and perspective taking
Unspoken social rules and boundaries
Identifying emotions in self and others
Age-appropriate play skills
Building confidence in communication
Individual social-pragmatic needs of participants

Social skills will be incorporated into fun, interactive, and structured activities. SoCo Club is a great opportunity for your child to build and learn new social skills in a small group setting for success in the home and in classroom settings.

Dates

Sessions run monthly for four weeks on Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 pm.
Sessions typically start on the first Tuesday of each month.

Location

LTTS North Austin Clinic at 9101 Burnet Road, Suite 103, Austin Texas 78758

Cost

$150.00 per session

Application Process

Applications are due no later than three weeks before each session start date.
Dates will be offered to applicants based on groups of children who match based on age level and social-pragmatic skills.
A deposit of $100.00 and a completed Program Authorization Form are due no later than two weeks before each session.

We look forward to providing an opportunity for your child to build their communication skills in SoCo Club!

For more information and to request an application, please email us.

Email Us About SoCo Club

Social Caterpillars

Often, social communication skills are difficult to practice in one-on-one therapy.

Social Caterpillars is a great opportunity for your young child to practice critical early social skills with other age-matched and social-emotional matched peers for future success in the community and in a classroom setting.

This group is created for children ages 3-5. It will consist of 4 to 5 children and 1 speech language pathologist. Sessions are 2 days a week for 4 weeks and last for 1 hour.

There will be a follow-up parent consultation at the end to ensure that parents can carry over techniques learned at home.

The following is a general description of the program components you can expect from Social Caterpillars:

Directed teaching of lessons throughout the four weeks to promote:

Engaging in various types of play and sharing with peers
Learning to identify and manage simple emotions
Independently requesting objects from peers and asking for help
Waiting and taking turns with peers

Guided practice in using lessons that have been discussed in pre-planned and spontaneous interactions, such as in tabletop, circle, and play activities

The small group size and adult-to-child ratio will promote quality practice with social communication skills necessary for larger groups. With ample opportunities for children to interact with others, they will flourish into a social caterpillar.

Social Butterflies

This group is designed for children ages 6-10 and will run with 4 to 5 children and 1 speech language pathologist for 4 weeks. Sessions are 2 days per week for 2 hours with a follow-up parent consultation at the completion of the program.

Using the methodology of Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking, Social Butterflies aims to teach your child various rules of social interaction through a cognitive-behavioral approach in structured activities.

The following is a general description of the program components you can expect from Social Butterflies.

Directed teaching of four foundational lessons throughout the four weeks to promote:

taking the perspective of others
making inferences
body language when listening
identifying emotions

Guided practice in using lessons that have been discussed in pre-planned and spontaneous interactions
One-on-one consultation between parent and therapist after the program to discuss your child’s further needs and home activities
Opportunities to participate in additional Social Butterflies programs upon completion of this level to provide further practice and learning

A small group size provides a supportive and nurturing environment where children can learn new, challenging social skills.

Regular parent communication with a therapist and a follow-up parent consultation will help navigate this complex area of language development as children grow into a social butterfly.

Batter and Chatter

The Batter and Chatter program is a great opportunity for your child to build literacy and learn new social skills in a small group setting for success in the home and in classroom settings.

Language and baking occur naturally together. Children really enjoy baking because it can be a stimulating sensory activity as well as a language rich activity.

Following directions, sequencing, and vocabulary skills are all required when you’re whipping up something tasty in the kitchen!

Additionally, social language goals can be easily targeted (e.g. topic maintenance, turn-taking, appropriate topics, etc.) when baking in a group.

Motor Skills Programs

Get the Right Moves with Handwriting Without Tears

Designed and taught by an occupational therapist, Handwriting Without Tears Camp provides intensive handwriting tutoring to prepare your child for the school year.

Instruction includes easy-to-implement ideas for home practice, and will increase your child’s confidence in their handwriting abilities.

Does your child:

Have minimal formal handwriting instruction?
Complain that handwriting or fine-motor tasks are too hard or tiring?
Have poor legibility?
Show inconsistent skills such as letter memory, orientation, size, formation, or spacing?
Have an awkward pencil grip?
Need a handwriting refresher or boost in skills before advancing to the next grade?

Camp Description

Camp is structured with a multi-sensory approach using fun, motivating gross and fine motor games and weekly themes.

Camp schedule will include a fine motor warm-up, gross motor activities, fine motor games, handwriting instruction, and wrap-up with parent to discuss progress and home program guidance.

“My 6-year-old twins built handwriting confidence and skills during their time at Get the Right Moves Camp. They were enthusiastic about attending each day, and they were motivated to practice more on their own, as well.”

Laura, mother of Jacob and Lucas, age 6

One World Karate

One World Karate offers specific and comprehensive instruction for all children regardless of their special needs. There is a program that fits your child.

These classes are specifically designed for children with needs that are often addressed through occupational or physical therapy. The classes are designed to be adaptable to student’s specific needs and current limitations.

Core strength, focus, discipline, and self-esteem are at the heart of our fun-filled lessons.

The students will learn real martial art skills, progressing through the belts via participation. Class attendance is the determining factor in promotion.

Belt tests are opportunities to build emotional strength and self worth through demonstrating progress. The classes are for ages 3 and up.

Martial arts provide numerous benefits to all practitioners regardless of needs or abilities, but a martial art program taught by a teacher who understands the special needs inherent in a diverse population can have a profound impact on the participants.

From a physiological standpoint, martial arts develop both muscle memory and fitness. Many studies show that martial arts can help develop neurological pathways within the brain itself.

All classes are taught at One World Karate, 9029 Research Blvd, #100
Classes are Mondays and Fridays from 3 – 7PM , and Saturdays from 9AM – 3PM
Private lessons are available
In-home lessons are available on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3 – 7PM
Ages 3 and up are welcome
Learn more and register at 1worldkarate.com

Note: One World Karate is not an official Little Tesoros program and is not taught by Little Tesoros staff members. The classes are lead by Daniel Carroll, a 7 year veteran of special education and a 17 year veteran of martial arts instruction.