School Holiday Programs for Autistic Children

	Age Groups, Days & Times 3-17 During school holidays
	Locations Various locations based on activity
	Your Host / Coordinator Autism SA Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Facilitators
	Funding Options NDIS Funding Fee for service

What are School Holiday Programs?

School holiday programs at Autism SA are where children aged 3-17 are supported to engage in activities that can help with the development of life skills, social and communication skills and friendships.

Have fun and make new friends while developing a range of life, social and communication skills.

A variety of different programs are delivered each school holidays. Read below to learn more about therapeutic programs coming up next.

Therapeutic programs

Autism SA’s therapeutic school holiday programs are smaller groups delivered by Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists at a range of times and locations.

During the upcoming School Holidays we will be running the following activities:

Self-Care Spa Studio
Building Connections – Social Group (7-12 years)
Transitions – Its all about prep!
Festive Cooking Group (5-8 years & 9-12 years)
Board Game Group for Teens (14-17 years)
Dungeons and Dragons (9-14 years)
Play Your Way (3-6 years)

Read more about each group and register below.

Self-Care Spa Studio

Locations: Tonsley & Elizabeth

Age range: 5 – 11 years and 12 – 17 years

A spa-inspired school holiday group for emotional wellbeing, creativity, and connection.

Our Self-Care Spa Studio is a calm, creative, and connection-focused therapeutic session designed to support children and teens through age-appropriate, sensory-friendly activities. This 3-hour group invites participants to unwind, explore self-care routines, and build social connections in a relaxed, inclusive environment.

Mini Studio (Ages 5–11)
Gentle pampering, playful crafts, and calming self-care activities tailored for younger children.

Teen Studio (Ages 12–17)
A chill-out experience with DIY spa stations, mindfulness tools, and creative expression designed just for teens.

Participants will explore calming and confidence-building stations such as:

Nail painting
DIY sleep masks
Make-your-own body scrubs
Positive affirmations
Soft music and a low-stimulation setting

Each child or teen is supported to engage at their own pace, express themselves creatively, and enjoy shared experiences with peers.

The Self-Care Studio nurtures:

Self-awareness and healthy self-care routines
Emotional regulation and mindfulness
Confidence and positive self-talk
Peer connection and social interaction
Sensory exploration and comfort

A calm, creative, and empowering way to spend the school holidays.

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

Building Connections – Social group

Locations: Tonsley & Elizabeth

Age range: 7 – 12 years

Building Connections is a fun and engaging social group designed to help children aged 7–12 build friendships, communication skills, and confidence while working together with LEGO®.

Through shared building activities, teamwork, and creative challenges, participants are supported to:

Practice turn-taking, sharing, and collaboration
Strengthen communication and listening skills
Develop problem-solving and flexible thinking
Build confidence in social interactions
Explore emotional regulation and self-expression in a supportive space

Each session provides structured and guided opportunities for connection, creativity, and teamwork — all while having fun with LEGO®!

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

Transitions – Its all about prep!

Locations: Adelaide metro

A new school year often means change in routines and environments are inevitable, and like all things, the only thing you can guarantee in life is change, so let’s get prepared!

Our program supports the preparation needed for a new school year. Your young person may have a new teacher, classroom, peers or even an entirely new school and we aim to support young people to manage what they can control, be informed about what’s to come and fill up their personal tool kit with strategies that work for them. The skills, tools and strategies gained can also be transferable in preparation for any change a young person is facing.

This program is offered as a 6-hour package during the school holidays. Our practitioners will meet directly with you and your young person to understand and identify individual needs, develop tailored resources and tools and create a ‘ back to school plan’.

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

Festive Cooking Group

Locations: Tonsley & Elizabeth

Age range: 5 – 8 years & 9 – 12 years

Facilitated by a multidisciplinary team, including of Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, this festive-themed cooking group is a great opportunity for children aged 7 to 12 who love to cook and create!

Within the group program, participants will engage in fun, hands-on activities to make and design a range of simple Christmas inspired foods and treats.

Throughout the group, participants will be supported to develop:

Food preparation and kitchen safety skills
Basic fine motor and functional cooking skills
Planning, sequencing and problem-solving skills (executive functioning)
Social communication, teamwork and following instructions skills in a supportive small group environment

Fun, festive, and skill-building – this group is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and create delicious Christmas treats together!

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

Board Game Group for Teens

Locations: Elizabeth

Age range: 14 – 17 years

This group provides participants the opportunity to develop a range of skills and facilitate social connections, whilst playing activities such as Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, 5-minute Dungeon, Unstable Unicorns and Dominion. This group is ideal for adolescents aged 14 – 17 years who enjoy games and want to build their focus, organisation and social skills while connecting with others.

Facilitated by Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and other Allied Health Professionals and supported in a 1:2 ratio, there will be opportunities for guidance, reflection and tailored support to apply what you learn beyond the game table – supporting success with everyday routines and social interactions. No prior experience with these games required – come to learn!

Aims of the group:

Build key executive functioning skills such as planning, flexibility, working memory, attention and problem-solving.

Learn about different social communication preferences, e.g., talking about shared interest, initiating conversations, finding compromises, perspective taking etc.

Explore different types of play: constructive, cooperative and social play with rules and improvisational flexibility

Support the development of self-advocacy within social interactions e.g., making suggestions about solutions to problems, contributing to party decisions, taking turns and empowering others to be involved

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

Dungeons & Dragons

Locations: Tonsley

Age range: 9 – 14 years

The Dungeons and Dragons group will be facilitated by a multidisciplinary team including Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists. This group is tailored towards autistic participants aged 9-14 years old. The program focuses on supporting social, communication, language and problem-solving skills through the game Dungeons and Dragons.

Participants will collaborate to create an adventure whilst implementing strategies and solving different mysteries, puzzles and encounters. The group will be supported to engage and work together as a team and overcome different challenges as they arise. The participants will learn about different social communication preferences, explore different forms of play whilst building on their self-advocacy skills within social interactions.

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

Play Your Way

Locations: Tonsley & Elizabeth

Age range: 3 – 6 years

Facilitated in a 1:1 ratio by a multidisciplinary team, including Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, this engaging play-based group invites children aged 3 to 6 to explore, connect, and create through play!

Across the sessions, children will have opportunities to discover a range of activities designed to match their interests and support their confidence in interacting, exploring, and communicating with others.

Through playful experiences such as sensory exploration, imaginative play, movement games, and creative construction, children will be supported to develop:

Early social connection and communication skills

Turn-taking, cooperation, and shared attention

Fine and gross motor coordination through hands-on play

Early problem-solving, planning, and emotional regulation skills

Confidence and curiosity to explore new experiences in a safe, supportive environment

Fun, flexible, and child-led — this group is a wonderful way for children to spend part of their summer playing their way, connecting with others, and learning through joyful, meaningful play!

If clients are considering our School Readiness Program, ‘Play Your Way’ is a great way to come and explore what this could look like for their child!

Registration form: Please refer to the below registration form for further information:

How can I access School Holiday Programs?

For more information about supports and services at Autism SA please contact us on 1300 288 476 or email at contactus@autismsa.org.au.

Autism SA is accredited and registered as a provider through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). This means that you can pay for services at Autism SA with your NDIS funding, or you may pay yourself, through fee for service.