An adventure in imagination, collaboration, and communication.
In this episode of Growing Up with A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology, Practice Director Lauren Haskins is joined by Speech Pathologist Zoe McCauley and Dungeon Master Hayden Moore to explore the magic behind AGU’s newest interest-based group program for tweens and teens, Dungeons & Dragons: Speech & Story Quest.
Together, they unpack how Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) offers so much more than fantasy storytelling. It’s a space where young people can practise communication skills, explore different sides of themselves, and build confidence in a creative and flexible setting.
During this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why D&D is an ideal platform for building social connection and communication
- How character creation helps participants explore identity and perspective-taking
- What the DOTS model is (Desire, Obstacle, Tactics, ‘So, what happens now?’) and how it applies to real-world communication
- How the game is adapted to meet each participant’s needs and support success
- Why the “rule of cool” helps create positive, flexible experiences for all players
- How the program builds a sense of belonging and encourages brave, new steps
- Advice for families curious about whether the program is the right fit
Whether your young person is a seasoned gamer or just curious about fantasy storytelling, this episode shows how play, connection, and communication come together in unexpected and powerful ways.
< Coming Soon >
