Creating a Social Skills Creating a Social Skills ResourceResource

A Guide to help Teachers of Students with Autism A Guide to help Teachers of Students with Autism and Asperger’s Syndromeand Asperger’s Syndrome

Masters project Masters project

IntroductionIntroduction

Why I chose this topic..Why I chose this topic..-not sure where to start at the beginning of the year-not sure where to start at the beginning of the year

-wanted to help all of my students-not limited to those with -wanted to help all of my students-not limited to those with Autism/AspergersAutism/Aspergers

-wanted to help other teachers-wanted to help other teachers

What I created…What I created…-a resource binder to help teachers get started with social

skills teaching-a desire to learn more about different kinds of social skills

and various teachingtechniques for students with Autism and Aspergers

What are Good Social What are Good Social Skills?Skills?

Having good social skills simply means people Having good social skills simply means people share their space with other effectively. Good share their space with other effectively. Good social skills means following unwritten social social skills means following unwritten social rules of the environment, even outside of the rules of the environment, even outside of the active social interaction within that active social interaction within that environment.(p.1)environment.(p.1)

Michelle Garcia Winner, 2008Michelle Garcia Winner, 2008Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum

for School Age Students for School Age Students

Research: The WHY and the Research: The WHY and the HOWHOW

WhyWhy-why are social skills so important for students with Autism -why are social skills so important for students with Autism

and Asperger’s?and Asperger’s?

-why should all teachers teach social skills to their students?-why should all teachers teach social skills to their students?

HowHow-how do we get started?-how do we get started?

-how do we know which type of social skills should be taught?-how do we know which type of social skills should be taught?

Why should we teach social Why should we teach social skills?skills?

“ “The development of social skills is one The development of social skills is one of the most important outcomes of the of the most important outcomes of the schooling process. Children with social schooling process. Children with social skills deficit are at risk for socio-skills deficit are at risk for socio-emotional difficulties and poor emotional difficulties and poor academic performances.” ( p.64). academic performances.” ( p.64).

Elliot and Busse, (1991) Elliot and Busse, (1991)

Why continued…Why continued…

““Socially thinking should be taught Socially thinking should be taught to kids with social learning to kids with social learning challenges not as an additional challenges not as an additional school subject, but as a core school subject, but as a core instructional element that impacts instructional element that impacts each moment of the school day”each moment of the school day”

Michelle Garcia Winner (2007)Michelle Garcia Winner (2007)Thinking About You, Thinking about MeThinking About You, Thinking about Me

Connections to Health Connections to Health CurriculumCurriculum

Social skill lessons can easily be incorporated into the Social skill lessons can easily be incorporated into the health curriculum, so students can learn the skills health curriculum, so students can learn the skills they need with their peers.they need with their peers.

Grade Five Health Curriculum OutcomesGrade Five Health Curriculum Outcomes

D1.2 -identify and practice strategies for strengthening self-D1.2 -identify and practice strategies for strengthening self-esteem esteem

B5.1- demonstrate strategies for managing anger in oneself and B5.1- demonstrate strategies for managing anger in oneself and others others

D1.4. recognize and respond to symptoms of stress D1.4. recognize and respond to symptoms of stress

Overall Message…Overall Message…

Social Skill lessons are not only for Social Skill lessons are not only for studentsstudents

with Autism and Asperger’s with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome! They Syndrome! They couldcould

and and shouldshould be taught to all students!!! be taught to all students!!!

Keep in Mind…Keep in Mind…

If you’ve met one person with Autism, If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism!!you’ve met one person with Autism!!

Winner, Crooke and Madrigal Winner, Crooke and Madrigal (2011) (2011)

** All students with Autism and Asperger’s are different. I have ** All students with Autism and Asperger’s are different. I have tried to included as many different types of social skills as tried to included as many different types of social skills as possible in my binder, but there are still other skills that I possible in my binder, but there are still other skills that I did not include. In my (very brief) teaching experience, did not include. In my (very brief) teaching experience, these are the skills that I found to be most helpful**these are the skills that I found to be most helpful**

Different Types of Social Different Types of Social SkillsSkills

Perspective TakingPerspective Taking Friendship SkillsFriendship Skills Communication/Conversation SkillsCommunication/Conversation Skills Figures of Speech/Non Verbal Figures of Speech/Non Verbal

CommunicationCommunication Various TopicsVarious Topics

Perspective-taking skillsPerspective-taking skills

-discussed in almost every resource and article I have read-discussed in almost every resource and article I have read

““The term ‘perspective taking’ describes the ability of one The term ‘perspective taking’ describes the ability of one person to person to

consider the point of view and motives of others.” (p.1). consider the point of view and motives of others.” (p.1). Winner (2007)Winner (2007)

““Persons with social cognitive deficits, such as those on the Persons with social cognitive deficits, such as those on the autism autism

spectrum, all have some degree of weakness in their ability spectrum, all have some degree of weakness in their ability to decode to decode

others’ intentions: they have a perspective taking others’ intentions: they have a perspective taking deficit.”(p3). Winner (2007)deficit.”(p3). Winner (2007)

Temple GrandinTemple Grandin

In her book In her book The Way I See It (2011) The Way I See It (2011) Grandin explains her Grandin explains her collaboration with collaboration with

another author (Sean Barron) regarding perspective-taking another author (Sean Barron) regarding perspective-taking skills:skills:

we emphatically agree that perspective-taking, being able we emphatically agree that perspective-taking, being able to look beyond oneself and into the mind of another to look beyond oneself and into the mind of another person, is the person, is the single most important single most important

aspect of functioning that determines the level of aspect of functioning that determines the level of social success social success to be achieved by a child or adult with to be achieved by a child or adult with ASD.” (p. 190). ASD.” (p. 190).

Friendship SkillsFriendship Skills

Jill Kuzma (jillkuzma.wordpress.com) states that Jill Kuzma (jillkuzma.wordpress.com) states that friendshipsfriendships

“ “are formed through conversations, seeking are formed through conversations, seeking things in common with peers (requires things in common with peers (requires perspective taking), showing interest in peer’s perspective taking), showing interest in peer’s experiences and thoughts, and creating shared experiences and thoughts, and creating shared experiences and memories with a peer.” experiences and memories with a peer.”

Friendship skills was the one thing that Friendship skills was the one thing that almost all almost all

of my students struggled with this year. of my students struggled with this year. FindingFinding

activities and lessons was really activities and lessons was really challenging for me challenging for me

at first. This was one of the many at first. This was one of the many reasons why I reasons why I

wanted to create this binder.wanted to create this binder.

Communication and Communication and Conversation SkillsConversation Skills

According to Temple Grandin (2011)According to Temple Grandin (2011)

““to be diagnosed with autism the child must have to be diagnosed with autism the child must have delayed or no delayed or no

speech coupled with other impairments” (p 8.). speech coupled with other impairments” (p 8.).

Communication cont’dCommunication cont’d

All of the students with Autism that I have worked All of the students with Autism that I have worked with struggle with struggle

with communication skills at some level. Therefore with communication skills at some level. Therefore in this section in this section

I have also decided to include the following:I have also decided to include the following:

Receptive Language SkillsReceptive Language Skills

Expressive Language SkillsExpressive Language Skills

Figures of Speech and Non-Figures of Speech and Non-verbal Communicationverbal Communication

Like many other teachers, I tend to use figures of speech and Like many other teachers, I tend to use figures of speech and non-non-

verbal communication skills without even realizing it. verbal communication skills without even realizing it. However I However I

soon realized that several of my students would take this soon realized that several of my students would take this literally literally

and become quite confused.and become quite confused.

Jill Kuzma stated: “students with social language deficits oftenJill Kuzma stated: “students with social language deficits often

interprets information in a very literal, concrete manner. It interprets information in a very literal, concrete manner. It either is, either is,

or it isn’t. This translates into emotional understanding and or it isn’t. This translates into emotional understanding and

expression as well.” expression as well.”

Various Topics SectionVarious Topics Section

Stress/AnxietyStress/Anxiety OrganizationOrganization School RoutinesSchool Routines BehaviourBehaviour

How to Teach Social How to Teach Social Skills?Skills?

Social Stories-Carol GraySocial Stories-Carol Gray

A Social Story describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms A Social Story describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social Story is to share accurate social information in a patient and Story is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience. reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience.

thegraycenter.orgthegraycenter.org

Personal ExamplePersonal ExampleThis is an example of a basic social story I wrote to help one of my students This is an example of a basic social story I wrote to help one of my students

understand why sometimes changes occur in our schedules and he had to missunderstand why sometimes changes occur in our schedules and he had to miss

his learning centre time.his learning centre time.

I know that I go to the Learning Centre every Tuesday at 1:35. It is written on I know that I go to the Learning Centre every Tuesday at 1:35. It is written on

my desk. This is the schedule that Ms. F and my classroom teacher agreed my desk. This is the schedule that Ms. F and my classroom teacher agreed

on. Sometimes my teacher wants me to stay in the classroom so I do not miss on. Sometimes my teacher wants me to stay in the classroom so I do not miss

something that is really important or really fun. Sometimes Ms. F might havesomething that is really important or really fun. Sometimes Ms. F might have

to work with another student, or go to a meeting. This makes me sad because I to work with another student, or go to a meeting. This makes me sad because I

like my Learning Centre time. I know that Ms. F and my teacher will let melike my Learning Centre time. I know that Ms. F and my teacher will let me

make up my time on another day. If I am still upset, I can talk to Ms. F then make up my time on another day. If I am still upset, I can talk to Ms. F then

about my feelings instead of getting upset and refusing to go back to class.about my feelings instead of getting upset and refusing to go back to class.

Resources that help teach Resources that help teach Social SkillsSocial Skills

Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum for School-Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum for School-Age StudentsAge Students Michelle Garcia Winner (2008) Michelle Garcia Winner (2008)

Thinking About YOU Thinking About ME-Thinking About YOU Thinking About ME-Michelle Garcia Michelle Garcia WinnerWinner(2007)(2007)

Power Cards-Power Cards-Elisa Gagnon Elisa Gagnon The Incredible 5-Point Scale- The Incredible 5-Point Scale- Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi

CurtisCurtis Jill Kuzma’s website Jill Kuzma’s website http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/ Michelle Garcia Winner’s website Michelle Garcia Winner’s website

www.socialthinking.comwww.socialthinking.com SuperFlex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum – SuperFlex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum –

Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner (2008)Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner (2008)

VideosVideos

In my experience, using videos to help students understand a In my experience, using videos to help students understand a concept is very concept is very

helpful no matter what subject I am teaching. (they often get helpful no matter what subject I am teaching. (they often get tired of listening totired of listening to

me!). Here is a you tube video (linked from Jill Kuzma’s me!). Here is a you tube video (linked from Jill Kuzma’s website), created by website), created by

students to demonstrate proper social skills.students to demonstrate proper social skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ZbH9y1Kt0&feature=relatedZbH9y1Kt0&feature=related

What I have learned…What I have learned… there are so many different types of social skills and there are so many different types of social skills and

different ways to teach them!different ways to teach them! social skills can be easily adapted to any age levelsocial skills can be easily adapted to any age level how to create my own social skill lessons and social how to create my own social skill lessons and social

storiesstories there are no easy answers-cannot simply follow a there are no easy answers-cannot simply follow a

curriculumcurriculum before teaching social skills it is important to really before teaching social skills it is important to really

understand your student’s individual needsunderstand your student’s individual needs how to group students according to needshow to group students according to needs social skills should be taught by all teachers-not just social skills should be taught by all teachers-not just

the learning centrethe learning centre

What I’ve learned cont’dWhat I’ve learned cont’d

how I am going to start teaching social how I am going to start teaching social skills this yearskills this year

a deeper understanding of Autism & a deeper understanding of Autism & Asperger’s SyndromeAsperger’s Syndrome

interesting people-Temple Grandininteresting people-Temple Grandin the impact social skills have on a studentthe impact social skills have on a student social skills lessons are a lot of fun to teach!social skills lessons are a lot of fun to teach!

AND most importantly….AND most importantly….

What I want to do with my life!What I want to do with my life!

By choosing this topic, I have learned so By choosing this topic, I have learned so much about Autism and Asperger’s much about Autism and Asperger’s

Syndrome. I still have quite a lot to learn, Syndrome. I still have quite a lot to learn, but I am looking forward to putting what I but I am looking forward to putting what I

have learned thus far into action.have learned thus far into action.

Thank you to everyone for making Thank you to everyone for making these past two these past two

years such a wonderful learning years such a wonderful learning experience!experience!

The End!!The End!!

ReferencesReferences

Elliot, S., & Busse, R.T. (1991). Social Skills Assessment and Intervention with Children Elliot, S., & Busse, R.T. (1991). Social Skills Assessment and Intervention with Children and Adolescents. Guidelines for Assessment and Training Procedures. and Adolescents. Guidelines for Assessment and Training Procedures. School Psychology School Psychology International, International, 12, 63-8312, 63-83.. Retrieved from Retrieved from http://donpugh.dyndns.org/Psych%20Interests/SOCIALhttp://donpugh.dyndns.org/Psych%20Interests/SOCIAL%20SKILLS%20TRAINING/Social%20Skills%20Assessment%20and%20 Intervention%20with.pdf %20SKILLS%20TRAINING/Social%20Skills%20Assessment%20and%20 Intervention%20with.pdf

Grandin, T. (2011). Grandin, T. (2011). The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger’s. (Revised & Expanded The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger’s. (Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition). 2nd Edition). Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.

Gray, C. (n.d). What Are Social Stories? Last retrieved July 16th, 2011 Gray, C. (n.d). What Are Social Stories? Last retrieved July 16th, 2011 fromhttp://thegraycenter.org/social-stories/what-are-social-storiesfromhttp://thegraycenter.org/social-stories/what-are-social-stories

Gray, C. (2010), Gray, C. (2010), The New Social Story Book. (Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition). The New Social Story Book. (Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition). Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.Arlington, TX: Future Horizons.

Kuzma J.D (2008). Jill Kuzma’s Social Thinking Weblog. Last retrieved July 16th, 2011 from Kuzma J.D (2008). Jill Kuzma’s Social Thinking Weblog. Last retrieved July 16th, 2011 from http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/

Kuzma, J.(2008). Emotions Awareness and Management. Last retrieved July 16th, 2011 from Kuzma, J.(2008). Emotions Awareness and Management. Last retrieved July 16th, 2011 from http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/emotion-awareness-and-management/http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/emotion-awareness-and-management/

Kuzma, J. (2008).Friendship and Interaction Skills. Last Retrieved July 16th, from Kuzma, J. (2008).Friendship and Interaction Skills. Last Retrieved July 16th, from http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/friendship-interaction-skills/http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/friendship-interaction-skills/

Madrigal, S., & Winner, M.G. (2008). Madrigal, S., & Winner, M.G. (2008). Superflex…A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum Superflex…A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum San Jose, CA: San Jose, CA: Think Social Publishing, IncThink Social Publishing, Inc

Nova Scotia Grade Five Health Curriculum (n.d.) Last retrieved July 16th, 2011, from Nova Scotia Grade Five Health Curriculum (n.d.) Last retrieved July 16th, 2011, from http://educators.ednet.ns.ca/Health%204-6/04_Health4-6_Grade5.htmhttp://educators.ednet.ns.ca/Health%204-6/04_Health4-6_Grade5.htm

Winner, M. G. (2007). Winner, M. G. (2007). Thinking About You, Thinking About Me.Thinking About You, Thinking About Me. San Jose,CA: Think Social Publishing San Jose,CA: Think Social Publishing Inc.Inc.

Winner, M.G. (2008), Social Thinking. Last retrieved July 16th, from Winner, M.G. (2008), Social Thinking. Last retrieved July 16th, from http://socialthinking.comhttp://socialthinking.com..Winner, M. G. (2008). Winner, M. G. (2008). Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum for School-Age Students. Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum for School-Age Students. San Jose, San Jose,

CA: Think Social Publishing, Inc. CA: Think Social Publishing, Inc. Winner, M.G., Crooke, P.,& Madrigal, S. (2011). Social Communication Learning Styles as a Guide to Winner, M.G., Crooke, P.,& Madrigal, S. (2011). Social Communication Learning Styles as a Guide to

Treatment and Prognosis: The Social Thinking-Social Communication Profile. Retrieved from Treatment and Prognosis: The Social Thinking-Social Communication Profile. Retrieved from http://socialthinking.com/images/stories/pdf_files/st_scp_1.26.10.pdfhttp://socialthinking.com/images/stories/pdf_files/st_scp_1.26.10.pdf