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Autism Conference Social Competencies

Autism Conference Social Competencies. Bucks County Schools Intermediate Unit #22 October 16, 2010 Emily Slabek, and Holly Sleppy. Objective.

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Autism Conference Social Competencies

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  1. Autism ConferenceSocial Competencies Bucks County Schools Intermediate Unit #22 October 16, 2010 Emily Slabek, and Holly Sleppy

  2. Objective Given a definition of social skills, participants will be able to identify basic social expectations for successful learners by understanding potential miscommunication through unwritten social skills.

  3. Define social skills • How do you define social skills? • How does our society define social skills?

  4. What do you think of when you hear the words “social skills”?

  5. Game Plan • Define social skills • Meet “the class” • Basic social expectations • Beyond the basics • Where is “the class” now? • Generalization • Discussion

  6. Disclaimer Emily is a full-time autistic support teacher with years of professional and personal experience in teaching social skills. She is an expert on her students. Holly is the mom of Evan, who has Asperger’s syndrome, or high-functioning autism. She is an Evan expert. • Our goal is that each participant is able to take something out of our presentation to better the life of at least one child.

  7. Strengths: Knowledge in specific areas of interest A few on grade level in academics Involved in community activities Expressive and receptive language Desire to “fit in” Weaknesses Understanding social skills Understanding emotions 1-3 years behind grade level in academics Behavior struggles- meltdowns, outbursts, non-compliance, disruptive Understanding how to “fit in” Inability to read body language “The Class”

  8. Strengths Very bright with advanced reading (decoding), vocabulary and memory skills Desire to fit in, but with a few preferred friends Polite, with good use of manners Weaknesses Understanding social skills and maintaining 2-way conversation Difficulty with expressing emotions properly Difficulty with personal space of others Interpreting others’ behaviors very literally Transitioning from activity to activity Unusual sensitivity to textures, tastes, sounds and smells that brought on emotional MELTDOWNS Evan

  9. “Children with Autism often lack a social sense and demonstrate limited, but intense emotions. This, coupled with their language impairments, adversely affects their success in social interactions and may lead to withdrawal, aggression, depression, and/or anxiety. As a result, they need constant coaching and facilitation during all types of social interactions…” Susan Thompson Moore Friendship Theory

  10. Expected and unexpected Perspective taking/ Thinking of others On topic and off topic Hygienic topics Basic manners Whole body listening “Keep in your head” thoughts Personal space Flexibility Social Expectations

  11. Expected for school Using an inside voice Raise your hand Follow directions Walking in the halls Using nice words Unexpected for school Yelling Calling out Not following directions Running in the halls Using mean words Expected and unexpected Strategies for teaching: Lesson, Literature, Social stories, Role play

  12. Perspective taking/Thinking of others We exist in a world with other people, it is crucial that we teach our students the significance of others in addition to the feelings that others have because of things that we do or say.

  13. Social Behavior Mapping

  14. On topic and off topic • Strategies for teaching on topic responses: • Conversation webs • Use teachable moments • Model on topic responses • Social stories • Practice how conversations might go

  15. Hygiene • Strategies for teaching appropriate hygiene: • Social stories • Visual cues • Model • Literature

  16. Saying “Hi” to someone when you pass them Please Thank you You’re welcome No thank you Excuse me Basic Manners

  17. Whole body listeningYou listen with your… 1. Shoulders and feet by turning toward the person who is talking. 2. Chest by keeping it up and pointed toward the person who is talking. 3. Hands by not distracting other people or yourself-keep hands quiet. 4. Ears by hearing what other people are saying. 5. Brain by thinking about what other people are saying. 6. Eyes by looking at people’s faces and eyes when they are talking to you. 7. Mouth by only making comments or asking questions about what the person is talking about-don’t interrupt. Michelle Garcia Winner, Thinking About You Thinking About Me. 2007

  18. Keep in your head thoughts • “You talk too slow.” • “Wow, you smell gross.” • “You are boring me.” • “Is it time to go home yet?” • “Why do you have a pimple on your face?” Strategies: Social stories, Direct instruction, Literature, Role play

  19. Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook Strategies: Visual cues, Social stories, Role play, Direct instruction lesson, Line up space markers Personal Space

  20. Flexibility Strategies: Weekly flexible challenge (flexible strips), provide opportunities, role play, social stories

  21. Beyond the BasicsHidden Rules…Unwritten Rules…The Grey Area • Hidden rules- the set of unwritten rules that nobody learns but that everyone knows • Facial expression and body language • Idioms and figures of speech • Transformation of the basics • What other hidden rules do we have?

  22. Understanding Autism for Dummies, 2006. Stephen M. Shore and Linda G. Rastelli

  23. Where are they now? • Accessing a greater amount of general education curriculum • Take pride in their friendships • Greater ability to problem solve during social situations • Consistently use language for social thinking • Participation in extracurricular and community activities • Improved basic conversation skills • Improved self-esteem • Improved ability to self-monitor • Working hard at being social problem solvers

  24. A child’s skills and needs will continue to evolve…what can we do?

  25. Remember… “One size does not fit all; one method is not appropriate for all. Successful programs are those that appreciate the individual nature of each student.” -Michelle Garcia Winner

  26. Effective strategies • Show your flexibility • Use teachable moments • Be resourceful • Communication • Be prepared • Practice patience • Collaborate

  27. References • Asperger Syndrome and the Elementary School Experience, 2002. Susan Thompson Moore • The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism, 2005. Dr. Temple Grandin and Sean Barron • Thinking About You, Thinking About Me, 2007. Michelle Garcia Winner • Understanding Autism for Dummies, 2006. Stephen M. Shore and Linda G. Rastelli

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