Connie Malatsis is a registered psychologist with 9 years experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum.  While completing a psychology degree Connie worked as an integration aide and ABA therapist.  After 6 years working as a school psychologist in both private and public schools, Connie set up The Social Learning Studio, a private practice with a focus on social skills development with a family focus. 

Family focused support means that in addition to providing children with individual and group therapy, parents also receive on-going education on the principals involved, home based strategies, counselling and parenting strategies and support.  This support also extends to the school, childcare or kindergarten, promoting a team approach to each child’s development.

As part of providing early intervention, Connie is a part of the Creative Health Consultancy – InterAction consortium under Faschia.  This interdisciplinary consortium allows families to access play-based intervention as provided by Connie, or integrate this together with the team OT and Speech Pathologist, provided a multidisciplinary approach. 

The Social Learning Studio as run by Connie provides regular parent and teacher seminars and is also home of The Moonee Valley Kids Social Skills Groups; first established in 2004.  The social skills groups as designed by Connie provide children with opportunities to learn the fundamental social, play and behavioural skills required to build positive relationships with others.  Groups are always gender specific and develop and change along with their group members.  As such, children can be supported from 3 to 18 years of age, with ongoing programs offered to meet their development needs.

Finally, Connie is also currently undertaking PhD research project at The University of Melbourne, evaluating the effectiveness of a gender specific school-based social skills program.  The program is called The Friendship Saver Program and provides children within mainstream classrooms the opportunity to acquire skills that will improve their friendship and peer conflicts, and promote positive relationships and good mental health into their adulthood.   

If you would like to know more information about the services and programs offered by Connie Malatsis, please email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call on 9326 1980.