CONNECT
Communication, Openness, and Navigation of social interactions are at the heart of this group. We nurture Neurodiversity through Empathy, Collaboration, and Teamwork—helping children build real-world connections with confidence.
For neurodivergent children ready to expand their social skills
This small-group program is designed for neurodivergent children—such as those with autism, ADHD, or related profiles—who already have a basic understanding of emotions and social concepts. The group offers a chance to deepen and apply these skills in a supportive, peer-based setting.
The group focuses on advanced social-emotional development, including:
Recognizing and responding to subtle social cues
Practicing flexible play and collaborative problem-solving
Understanding different perspectives and managing misunderstandings
Navigating teasing, social mistakes, and small conflicts
Exploring friendship dynamics and setting personal boundaries
Through structured games, role-plays, group discussions, and shared projects, participants strengthen peer interaction skills in a safe, neurodiversity-affirming environment.
The group typically meets once per month, providing consistency without being overwhelming. Children are grouped thoughtfully to ensure similar skill levels and social goals.
Parents are kept informed with regular updates, personalized feedback, and practical strategies to support learning at home.
Number of meetings: 10
1st semester: Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan
2nd semester: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June
Cost per semester: CHF 400 / CHF 325
Group Facilitators
Olga Martinez, M.Ed.Psy., BCBA
Olga Martinez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. She has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2017. She specializes in working with neurodivergent children and teenagers—including those with autism, ADHD, learning differences, and developmental delays—and their families, focusing on social communication, emotional regulation, and everyday independence.
Based in Zurich, Olga offers evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming support through individual sessions and structured group programs. Olga is passionate about building bridges between therapy, home, and school. Her goal is to create lasting, positive change that supports each child’s development in real-world situations. She works in close collaboration with families, educators, and other professionals to ensure that progress is meaningful, respectful, and sustainable.
Languages: English, Spanish
Gabriela Valent Fabian, M.A. M.Sc. BCBA
Since 2018, Gabriela has specialized in supporting neurodivergent children—particularly those on the autism spectrum—from early intervention through the lower primary grades. She focuses on each child's individual strengths and needs, helping them build essential skills in communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and independence in daily routines.
Gabriela has experience working with children who present with challenging behaviour. She provides targeted support by teaching specific self-regulation and social-emotional skills. Her approach also focuses on encouraging positive behaviour and fostering healthy peer and adult relationships.
Working closely with children across home and school environments, she provides tailored support to ensure consistency and continuity across settings. She also collaborates with families, caregivers, and professionals—offering coaching to support the child’s development.
She has extensive experience with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), using a variety of tools and software to help children express themselves effectively.
Gabriela holds a master's degree in speech therapy and a master in applied behavioral analysis. She is Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Languages: English, German, Serbian, Slovak
Ruxandra Tacu, M. Sc. ABA
Ruxandra is a Behavior Analyst with a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her professional journey began as an ESL teacher, supporting both neurotypical and neurodivergent children in inclusive classroom settings. Her background in education laid the foundation for her transition into behavioral therapy, a field she entered in 2020.
Since then, Ruxandra has been working with neurodivergent children from early childhood through adolescence, with a broad spectrum of autism-related profiles or other types of developmental challenges. She brings experience with TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children) and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).
(Offering services across both English and German-speaking settings), Ruxandra takes a collaborative and evidence-based approach, grounded in empathy and a deep respect for each child’s unique context. Her work is centered on fostering meaningful connections and growth—not only in the children she supports but also among the parents, educators, and professionals involved. Whether working directly with children or guiding the adults around them, Ruxandra is dedicated to promoting lasting, practical change that empowers and uplifts all those involved.
Languages: English, German, Spanish, Romanian
What connects us are the services we provide:
Early intervention: Early intervention services support children diagnosed with autism before the age of 6 using individualized, evidence-based approaches. Programs are tailored to each child’s developmental needs and typically take place in the home or other natural settings. In addition to direct work with the child, the intervention includes collaboration with parents and caregivers to promote meaningful progress across everyday routines and environments.
Individual behavior therapy: For children over 5 years old, personalized sessions are offered targeting emotional regulation, social communication, executive functioning, and adaptive skills
Social skills groups: Small-group programs that help children learn to navigate friendships, collaborate with peers, and practice flexible thinking in a supportive environment
Parent coaching and training: Collaborative sessions designed to empower parents with practical tools and strategies that support consistency and connection at home
School consultation and collaboration: Partnership with teachers and school teams to support inclusive learning environments, develop classroom strategies, and promote success across settings
Transition support: Helping children and families prepare for new challenges such as school entry, changes in routines, or increasing independence in daily life