Social Communication
Social communication therapy works with children and teenagers to build their social participation, confidence and social skills: joining in with play and conversation, understanding others, and making and keeping friends. Dr Lauren Crumlish (PhD) works online with children with and without a diagnosis, including autism and ADHD.
In plain terms
Social communication is the use of language with other people. Much of it is unspoken: reading between the lines, sensing what someone else is thinking or feeling, and following the bigger picture of a conversation or story.
These skills sit behind humour, sarcasm and friendships, which is why a child who finds them hard can feel left out even when their words are clear.
Social communication difficulties can show at home, at school and with friends, with or without a diagnosis.
Difficulty making and keeping friendships
Difficulty joining in play that suits their age
Missing jokes, riddles and sarcasm that peers understand
Finding it hard to read between the lines or see another person's point of view
Social interaction difficulties linked to a diagnosis such as autism
Dr Lauren favours relationship-based therapy, particularly for children with complex communication profiles and social interaction challenges. She is trained in DIR Floortime, a developmental approach built on the Developmental, Individual-Differences and Relationship-based model. It considers the whole child and aims to support the core abilities of relating, communicating, reasoning and thinking.
DIR Floortime starts from the child: their individual differences, their stage of development and what sparks their interest. Following the child's lead, therapy supports their language, thinking and social and emotional growth, and tries to understand why a child is finding something hard rather than only treating the behaviour that shows. It is strengths-based, and parents are the cornerstone of therapy.
For older children and teenagers, therapy also works on the higher level language that friendships and school rely on, such as inferencing and understanding humour.
Sessions are held online by secure video. Parents are part of the therapy, not onlookers.
Dr Lauren assesses how your child communicates and interacts, and listens to what you have noticed at home and at school.
Therapy sessions are 45 minutes, held online while your child is somewhere familiar at home.
Dr Lauren supports you to understand your child's communication and to advocate for them.
Dr Lauren tracks your child's progress and adjusts the plan to suit them.
The Mid-Length Assessment covers social communication. Ongoing therapy is charged per session.
Therapy
Per 45-minute session + administration
$193
Matching assessment
$890
School-aged language, literacy challenges and social communication
Medicare rebates are available with a GP referral. Private health and NDIS (self-managed or plan-managed) can also apply. See full pricing
No. Dr Lauren works with children who have a diagnosis such as autism or ADHD and with children who simply find social interaction hard.
DIR Floortime applies the Developmental, Individual-Differences and Relationship-based model, developed by Dr Stanley Greenspan, in therapy. It is designed for children with developmental challenges and diagnoses such as autism, children who have experienced trauma, and children with social interaction challenges.
No. It follows the child's interests, so it can look like play, but it is a developmental intervention that aims to support relating, communicating, reasoning and thinking. It is also not a drill-based behavioural approach.
Yes. Sessions are held online by video, and whether online sessions suit your child is considered at the start, including their attention and sensory needs and the support a parent can give.
Dr Lauren works with a small number of families and has limited availability. Tell us about your child to be considered.
Apply For Consideration