Social skills groups for neurodivergent kids and teens in Melbourne.
Where kids connect and belong.
A psychologist-designed social group where neurodivergent kids find peers who actually get them, and a place to practise the social stuff together.
- Bilingual psychologist (English & Mandarin)
- NDIS · Private · Medicare rebate on first chat*
Cooperative play, not worksheets.
About
Social skills, practised through real connection
Buildit is a small, in-person group in Canterbury, designed by a registered psychologist and run by our facilitator team. Every child meets the psychologist before they join, so each group is the right fit.
Groups
Four small groups, by age.
Waitlist openAges 4 to 6
Starting mid 2027
For young kids learning to join in, take turns and play alongside others, through simple games and building.
About this group
Filling upAges 6 to 9
For kids who want to make friends and practise playing together, with games and builds they enjoy.
About this group
Almost fullAges 10 to 13
For kids who find friendships hard to make or hard to keep, in a group of peers who think like they do.
About this group
Filling upAges 14 to 17
A calm, low-pressure group where teens build a shared project together over the term.
About this groupOur story
Buildit started in 2022 because parents kept asking us for something different. Their kids already had plenty of time with specialists. They didn't want another appointment. They wanted somewhere their child could practise real social skills with other kids, with support right there, and actually have fun doing it.
So we built it. Small groups, a facilitator team guiding the way, and activities kids want to come back to. The skills get practised in the moment with peers, not just talked about.
Our approach
A different kind of group.
Peers who get them
Kids spend the session with others who think and connect in similar ways.
Cooperative, not instructional
Practice happens through play and shared goals, not lectures or worksheets.
See a session
One minute inside Buildit.
A look at how a session runs, filmed with the families' permission.
Practical details
How it runs.
- Term
- 10 weeks, one session a week, in person in Canterbury
- Starting
- A first chat with our psychologist, then a 2-week paid trial
- Cost
- $110.37 per session, invoiced after each session. NDIS, private payment, and a Medicare rebate on the first chat*
Questions
What parents ask us.
Is it right for my child?
That's what the first chat is for. Our psychologist meets every child and will tell you honestly if the group is a good fit. Sometimes it isn't, and that's okay too.
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. You don't need a diagnosis to join. In the first chat our psychologist works out whether the group is the right fit for your child.
Where and when?
Our groups meet in person in Canterbury, weekly, in 10-week terms, and we're planning to open more in Mount Waverley too. We're forming new groups for January and we're open to any day, so tell us what suits your family. First chats with our psychologist run until mid-December, so joining early gives you more choice of day.
What do they actually do?
Each group works on one build together, based on what the kids are into, things like models, brick builds and painting, with a facilitator guiding it. The build is the reason to be in the room. The real work is teamwork, taking turns, and making friends along the way.
What does it cost?
Sessions are $110.37 each. We invoice after each session, never upfront, so you only pay for what your child attends. NDIS self-managed and plan-managed participants can usually claim it under their plan.
What does the first chat cost?
The first chat with our psychologist is $127. With a GP referral (Mental Health Treatment Plan) you can claim a $72 Medicare rebate. It's also claimable under NDIS (self- or plan-managed).
What if my child doesn't want to come, or it's not working?
Every new family starts with a 2-week paid trial. If it isn't right after that, you stop. There are no lock-in contracts and no term fees upfront.
Can we talk in Mandarin?
Yes. Our psychologist speaks English and Mandarin.
Worried it won't work for your child?
My child hates groups. Will this suit them?
Lots of our kids felt the same before they started. Groups are small, up to 9 kids, and run by our facilitator team. Activities are built around what the kids are into, and nobody is pushed to join in before they're ready. The first chat with our psychologist is where we work out together whether the group is a good fit.
What if they don't want to go?
That's really common at the start. The first few sessions are about getting comfortable with the room, the facilitators and the other kids. New families start with a 2-week trial, so you can see how your child settles before you commit to more.
We tried a social skills course before and it didn't stick. How is this different?
Most courses run for a set number of weeks and then finish. Buildit is an ongoing club. Kids keep coming back to the same group, so skills get practised week after week with the same peers, in the middle of something they enjoy.
Waitlist
Join the waitlist.
A short, non-clinical form. We'll be in touch within 1 business day.
Please don't include any medical information on this form.