Play-based Social Groups Help Kids Overcome Developmental Delays

Taylour Ganster of Interconnect Therapy.

The impact of the pandemic lockdown of four years ago still reverberates for the children who experienced it. That’s why Taylour Ganster, a Sunset-based behavior therapist, is helping kids overcome developmental delays caused by COVID isolation. 

“COVID babies were not going to parks or daycare, the situations where they would normally develop social skills naturally,” Taylour says. “They did not have to share or pay attention to the needs or social cues of other kids. It was especially challenging for kids without siblings and for first time parents.”

Lacking important socialization opportunities, Taylour says isolated kids often missed developmental milestones and simply didn’t learn the basics — how to play with other children, how to make friends, and how to share.

Today, Taylour offers play-based social groups at her Sunset practice to help children affected by isolation. Taylour’s Interconnect Therapy includes engaging games and activities that allow natural opportunities to develop social skills. Children learn coping skills and ways to regulate and appropriately communicate their needs and emotions. 

Taylour’s special focus is on neurodivergent children, including those with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), autism, social anxiety, or developmental delays, although she works with any family needing support. Her clients are referred by doctors and school counselors, other therapists and word of mouth. She also consults with schools and provides workplace training for those working with neurodivergent children and teens. Her website and Instagram posts offer guidance for families. 

Often, Taylour hears from parents whose child has just been diagnosed with autism. “It can be scary, overwhelming,” she says. “Their child is different. I help them see that good things can come with the diagnosis.”

After working for years at a local agency specializing in children with autism, Taylour decided during the pandemic to establish her own practice. She gets to know each child she works with by talking with parents and teachers and then develops a treatment plan with goals that might include individual behavior therapy and group sessions. She also coaches parents on how to manage challenging behavior. 

Last summer, she opened a dedicated space where she offers one-on-one behavioral therapy and social skills groups for children ages 18 months through teen years. It took her six months to find the right location — a building contractor’s space on Lawton Street, just blocks from the Sunset home where she has lived for nearly 14 years.

Not everyone would have seen the possibilities of a storefront that housed construction supplies, but she got to work. That included cleaning, painting, even refinishing the floor with colorful designs. Now the inviting light-filled space offers even the youngest children a cozy environment with toys and floor cushions. Here small groups of youngsters practice social skills in eight-week sessions.

“The first time my four-to-five-year-old group was here, they played separately. They didn't know how to introduce themselves to other kids, to ask to play. It’s easy to see progress when at the end of the day they are playing together and greeting each other excitedly,” Taylour says. “One mom told me that after six weeks in our group, their family had dinner with friends and saw for the first time their son talking with a girl his age.”

The mom was elated.

Group sessions for eight- to ten-year-olds focus on choosing supportive friends, handling bullying, and navigating the complexities of relationships. 

In teen groups, the emphasis is on building a foundation for friendships and practicing online safety. Role-play helps practice new skills. One mom of a high-schooler told Taylour that after participating in the group, her child made a friend for the first time, exchanged phone numbers, and now spends time together at school. 

Taylour understands how important it is for children to feel comfortable as their authentic selves.

“Those who ‘mask,’ are changing their authentic self in order to fit into society's social norms. This is particularly common for neurodivergent individuals,” Taylour explains. “I work hard to teach acceptance of those with differences.” 

The next step for Taylour is to hold community classes and workshops for adults, including yoga, mom retreats, and sibling support. She is excited to help build on the spirit of community she has found in the Sunset. 

“I love it here,” she says. “There is so much to offer. I look forward to connecting with other professionals and parents.”

Reported and written by volunteer community journalist Jan Cook. We encourage residents with journalism experience, retired journalists, and student journalists in high school and college to volunteer as writers for Supervisor Engardio’s newsletter. Interested? Apply here. Do you know a story you would like to see featured in the newsletter? Tell us about it here.