DIAGNOSTIC GROUP

Detailed professional description

Format: group observation for diagnostic purposes.

Focus: recommended whenever a child's difficulties may be influenced by challenges in connecting with others, their role and experiences within a peer group, or patterns of behaviour in social settings.

Methodology: the diagnostic group is a playful assessment combining verbal and non-verbal methods. Its aim is to gain a broad understanding of the child's emotional, social and cognitive functioning. The focus is not on drawing ability or manual skill, but on how the child adapts to peers, group leaders and tasks.

Methods may include shared drawing tasks, projective and story-based techniques, the Six-Part Story Method and storytelling. We observe, among other things, how the child sustains attention, whether cognitive, emotional, impulse-control and social skills are age-appropriate, how they co-operate with peers, tolerate frustration, and express thoughts and emotions within a group.

Groups are adapted to participants' current condition, age and developmental level. Each child attends two consecutive 50-minute sessions within their age group. Even when entering the group is initially difficult, the aim is for children to leave with the experience of shared play.

Frequency: the diagnostic group is organised twice a month. Following the observation period, families receive a summary and may request a parent consultation.

Observations from the sessions give psychologists and the assessment team a detailed picture of the child's behaviour and functioning in a community setting. This provides important information for planning subsequent therapeutic support and helps identify the child's specific needs and the most appropriate helping process.

Possible group leaders: Erika Pap – clinical psychologist, symbol therapist and MBT-A therapist; Erzsébet Katalin Komáromi – art therapist; and Judit Jantner – clinical psychologist.

Group size: minimum 5, maximum 8 participants.

Age group: 4–12 years.

It is not currently possible to register for this group independently. For information about Murmo's assessment pathways, please contact murmomail@murmo.hu.