HOW TO HELP WITH ORGANIZATION SKILLS

Transcription

1 HOW TO HELP WITH ORGANIZATION SKILLS checklists, due dates, planners, and to-do lists. Enforcing regularly scheduled cleanup times in order to keep work space organized is useful. Some kids need patient, encouraging instruction in the process of "clearing the decks" in order to do a project from beginning to end.

2 TO DO LIST SIMPLE STRATEGY

3 Theory of Mind Theory of mind involves two essential skills the ability to reflect about one's own thoughts and feelings, and the ability to tune into the feelings and expectations of others. Not natural or instinctive for children with autism Example: Library protocol

4 AFTER SCHOOL SERVICE/SOCIAL/SPECIAL INTEREST CLUB With the assistance of a faculty advisor, a service/social/special interest club is formed and the group meet at regularly scheduled times to review club activities and create opportunities for social interaction. To enhance this model for students with ASD, social skills strategies should be incorporated into the club s activities. In addition, students with ASD are also encouraged to join special interest clubs or organizations which already exist. This is a good venue for building friendships

5 ESSENCE OF SOCIAL SKILLS Having conversations Entering and exiting conversations Using electronic forms of communication Choosing appropriate friends Handling teasing, bullying and other forms of social rejection Handling arguments and disagreements with friends Having appropriate get-togethers with friends How to be a good host and a good sport

6 They do want friends! Break the myth Important to find common interests.

7 ASD PEER SUPPORT GROUP: LUNCH BUNCH The unstructured form of lunch time creates social stress to many ASD students. Some often isolate themselves and end up eating on their own. Others are overwhelmed with auditory sensitivity and other issues that come up The lunch bunch alleviates some of these stressors by creating a safe, social environment Students can talk about similar interests and not be alone This forum provides a safe and open forum to address their concerns and share their thoughts A school support staff facilitates this type of model

8 RECESS GROUP Children from an ASD kindergarten class and another class of non-asd students play in the playground during recess. Play varied playground activities such as: Duck, Duck, Goose, Green light/red Light, Ball Games, Simon Says, others Teach self-regulation, listening skills, following directions Teach children understanding and acceptance Helps teach children how to play together, take turns, and share Teach sensitivity to diversity

9 Duck, Duck, Goose

10 Games for young children

11 SCHOOL BASED COUNSELOR SUPPORT AND TRAINING Miami-Dade County Public Schools offers professional development opportunities for counselors to learn specific strategies for helping students with high functioning ASD acquire social and executive functioning skills During this two-day training, each counselor becomes familiar with a researched-based socials skills curriculum which can be implemented in their school

12 Social Challenges for Students with ASD Nonverbal Interaction - Eye contact/gaze - Gestures/non-verbal cues - Facial expression - Posture/orientation Peer Relationships - Developmentally inappropriate relationships -Quantity and Quality - lack of or limited number of friendships - inability or difficulty in maintaining friendships

13 Assumptions of Social Skills Instruction Through practice and performance, social and interpersonal skills can be mastered. Social interaction skills are not equivalent to academic skills. They need to be directly taught in a variety of settings to ensure social success. Coaching

14 EFFECTIVE SOCIAL SKILLS STRATEGIES Video Modeling and Video Self-Modeling Social Stories/Social Narratives Cue Cards Comic Strip Conversations Scripts Power Card Conversation Starters Coaching

15 RESOURCES Laugeson, E.A. and Frankel, F.,2010, Social skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum disorders, The PEERS Treatment Manual SS.Grin curriculum

16 Questions???