Friendships
When should I choose this area of focus for my Gabadoo?
Parents may observe certain behaviours at home that may indicate their child is struggling with friendships and would benefit from support through Gabadoo, such as:
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Difficulty initiating or sustaining friendships
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Social isolation or exclusion.
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Difficulty navigating social situations, resolving conflicts etc.
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If your child vocalises concerns about their friendships, expresses feelings of loneliness or unhappiness related to their social interactions, or shows signs of distress when discussing their social experiences, it may be an indication that they need support.
If you notice these signs consistently and they significantly impact your child's social well-being, emotional state, and daily functioning, it may be beneficial to get support from our team.
What information do I need to include in my Gabadoo?
As our Gabadoo Team have never met your family before and know nothing about your child, they can only provide strategies based on the information you provide so be very detailed!
After you have filled in the relevant information in your Gabadoo, go through this checklist to make sure you have included the following:
Family & Home Life:Description of your family & the structure of your family including siblings, pets or any extended family who are living in your home. Your daily routine including school hours, drop offs, child-care and free time in the evening and at the weekends so our team provide activities that are achievable for your routine. |
Strengths and Interests:What does your child like to do? What games, toys, T.V. programs, characters do they like? What type of activities do they seek out? Do they have hobbies, attend extra-curriculars etc? What are some of their sensory preferences (e.g. swinging, tickling, climbing, cuddling, music, singing)? Do they respond to praise from adults? What motivates them? |
Additional Information:What class is your child in at school? What type of schooling do they receive? i.e. homeschooling, mainstream N.S., gaelscoil, preschool, ASD class, Special School. Have you seen any professionals in the past in relation to their development? If so, what was the outcome? What have you tried before in terms of developing their friendships? Who do they interact with on a daily basis? What does your child use as their method of communication? e.g. gestures, words, PECs, Lamh. |
Make sure to include:What you have seen at home/school and how is this impacting on your child or your family? What would you like to gain from this Gabadoo? List your observations in relation to; How your child currently acts in different social situations, what environments they meet other peers, if playdates or structured play situations are arranged etc. Also include any changes that have currently recently or if you have noticed a regression in your child's confidence? If so, what do you think may have cause this? |
Remember: The more information you give our team, the more individualised and relevant your plan will be.
What support will I receive for my child?
Your information will be reviewed by one of our Gabadoo Experts who is experienced in the area of social and emotional skills. They will detail individualised strategies, activities, next steps and helpful organisations and products that you can use at home to support your child.