Keri+Regina

Exploring Social Curriculums Bloomfield School District **
 * Bridging the Knowledge Gap

The Bloomfield School District's Special Education Department has recently been involved in a State-Mandated Self Assessment Process. This process was designed to help a district become involved in state assessments to identify areas of needed improvement and action plans to implement possible changes to curriculums or programs. The most recent self-assessment was completed in 2008.

Previously in 2001, the self assessment revealed that this district was deficient in the areas of programs for special needs students. Bloomfield was out of compliance in the area of out-of district placements. The district created numerous programs including an ABA program and numerous self-contained classes to address the needs of the growing autistic population.

Upon the completion of the 2008 self assessment, it was revealed that the special needs population was not effectively transitioning across self-contained classrooms and into mainstreamed classroom. This inability to transition to a less restrictive environment is reported to be the caused by a deficit in social skills training for the students.

The purpose of the wiki page is to bridge the knowledge gap concerning autism spectrum disorders, social skills curriculums and the connection between improved social skills and inclusion classroom success.


 * __Overview of the Needs Assessment__**


 * [[file:Needs Assessment Presentation2.ppsx]]**


 * __DEFINITIONS__**

Below are definitions of autism spectrum disorders and descriptions of social deficits that occur with this disorder. Under each definition will be a link to further explore the characteristics associated with autistic individuals.

Below is the first component of autism as it relates to social deficits. For a more complete definition go to:  __[] __ Autism is defined in section 299.00 of the // [|Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders] // (DSM-IV) as:  1. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2) and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):  1. qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:  1. marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction  <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">2. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">3. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest) <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">4. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lack of social or emotional reciprocity <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * Autism**
 * Asperger Syndrome**

Asperger Syndrome is considered a pervasive developmental disorder at the higher end of the autism spectrum. It is characterized by sustained impairment in social functioning and the development of restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome compose the largest category of individuals who have the potential to be mainstreamed within the general education classroom, but are failing due to lack of social skills and learning readiness behaviors.

For more on Asperger Syndrome: [] Many children with autism experience social alienation during their school-age years. As a response to this, or perhaps because their social surroundings simply do not "fit" them, many report inventing imaginary friends, worlds, or scenarios. Making friends in real life and maintaining those friendships often proves to be difficult for those with autism.
 * Social Deficits of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder**

Although not universal, behavioral lability may be common, resulting in crying, verbal outbursts, or self-injurious behaviors that seem inappropriate or without cause. Those who have autism may benefit from consistent routines and environments, and they may react negatively to changes in their surroundings. It is not uncommon for these individuals to exhibit poorly modulated behaviors, increased levels of self-stimulatory behavior, self-injury, or extensive withdrawal in overwhelming situations. However, as an affected individual matures and receives specific socialization education and training, skill may be attained in the recognition of behavioral triggers and more appropriate means of coping will be available for difficult social circumstances.

For more on social deficits: []
 * Social Behaviors needed to succeed in the General Education Classroom**

Developmentally appropriate practices help preschool and prekindergarten children develop a broad range of characteristics associated with learning readiness. These basic characteristics provide the scaffolding for children to be successful learners in more restricted primary grade classroom environments. It should be noted that most autistic individuals, regardless of age, are extremely deficient in one or more of these areas and most self-contained classrooms and programs create a very dissociated environment where these skills are not carried over into other environments:
 * Characteristics of Learning Readiness**

<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Independently uses the bathroom <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Uses a tissue to wipe a runny nose <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snaps, zips, and buttons garments <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Puts away toys and helps with clean-up activities <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Asks for help when needed <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Runs smoothly <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Skips <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Jumps with both feet off the ground <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Catches, throws, and bounces a ball <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Climbs easily on playground equipment <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Can easily make adults understand what he or she says <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Listens to and follows simple directions <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Participates and stays on discussion topics <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tells a story or retells experiences in proper sequence <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Enjoys listening to stories and rhymes <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Holds and uses a drawing implement <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Can copy letters such as X, H, V, D, O from a sample <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Draws a human figure with arms, legs, and features <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Ties a knot <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Cuts on simple lines and around simple shapes <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Recognizes pictures and objects that are the same and different <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Matches letters and simple words <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Shares ideas and gives reasons for an opinion <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Asks questions, tries new things <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Understands and follows the rules of a simple game <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Verbally counts to 10 <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * Self-help skills** <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Gross motor skills **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Language and speech skills **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Fine motor skills **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Thinking skills **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Social/emotional skills **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

Adjusts to new situations <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Uses words to resolve conflicts <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Can sit for 5-10 minutes to focus on a story or task <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Completes tasks <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Cooperates with others and takes turns <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Uses control when frustrated <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Takes pride in his or her achievements <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For more information on learning readiness go to: [] <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ARTICLES __**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

The next portion of this Wiki will focus on research articles to support the need for social skills, why and how we teach social skills, and what specific skills are needed by the autistic student to succeed in a general education classroom.


 * __The Need for Social Skills__**

This article focuses on the impairment of social skills of the autistic child and the later effects on adolescent and adult development. It highlights the benefits of beginning social skills in an inclusion classroom at 36 months. The authors pose that beginning social skills early results in acceptance and less isolation of autistic children.

For more on this article go to: [] This is a book excerpt from: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">By Eric Schopler, Gary B. Mesibov, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 * __Skill set needed for Mainstreaming Autistic Children__**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Social Behavior in Autism **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

The authors review their finding that contrast the social development of autistic children taught socially acceptable classroom behaviors in pull-out verse push-in setting. The authors findings suggest that the children developed more appropriate social behaviors and were able to carry-over these skills into other settings when educated in the push-in model.

For more on this excerpt: [] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This is a newspaper article that reviewed studies including a total of 147 students with an autism spectrum disorder, with students ranging in age from preschool to secondary school. They reviewed the pull-out programs aimed to address skills such as group play, joint attention and language usage, or to improve performance of social behaviors, such as initiating interactions, responding to communication and maintaining interactions. Overall, the programs resulted in little change in the targeted behaviors, and students did not apply the targeted behaviors;
 * __Why teach social skills in the classroom?__** <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

However, students receiving social skills programming in their usual classrooms had substantially more favorable outcomes than students who received services in a pull-out setting. Students in classroom-based programs were more likely to engage the targeted skills during the program, and showed a greater tendency to maintain changes in behaviors and to utilize these skills in other settings. For the entire article go to:

[] Dr. Tom McIntyre, a professor at Hunter College has developed a webpage entitled [|www.behavioradvisor.com] This webpage categorizes the different forms of therapy for autistic children. The link below leads you to the current trends in social training for autistic children. The website is also a plethora of information on behavioral modifications in the general education classroom for the autistic child. [] This article focused on the benefits of developing the social skills of autistic children with typically developing peers. The researchers found that a general education classroom provided more opportunities to practice and perfect the social skill that was trying to be developed. Article link: []
 * __How do we teach social skills?__**
 * __Articles on Social Skills Training and Autistic Children__**
 * __SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS__**

The final component of this Wiki will comprise a variety of different social skills curriculum that could be applied to any classroom environment to improve and develop the skills of the autistic child. The developers of these programs will be listed with their titles and a simple program description. <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> //Social skills training for children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome// **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This program was developed by Dr. Jed Baker who currently works in the Millburn School District in New Jersey. His program focuses on developing a specific set of social skills within a small group and then transitioning and practicing these skills in a more naturalistic environment, such as a typical classroom. Dr. Baker's program is curriculum based with scaffolding skills. The programs two components are Communication Skills and Emotional Management. For more on Dr. Baker's Program go to: [] Michelle A. Dunn <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Dr. Jed Baker ****<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Despite the often serious deficits these children exhibit, most schools do not provide social skills intervention through trained therapists to students with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Simply exposing children with PDD to typically developing children in school does little to develop their social skills. They do not learn appropriate social interaction by osmosis. The widely tested S.O.S. program addresses this issue head-on. Operating on a school-wide basis, the S.O.S. program consists of four major components that come together to increase the social skills of children with PDD as well as create tolerance and fairness among typical children: Pull-out social skills lessons for children with PDD, social skills lessons in the classroom for all children, peer mentoring and parent information. For more on Michelle Dunn's Program go to: <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; color: blue; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">[] <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> This book addresses the need for social programming for children and adolescents with ASD by providing a comprehensive five-step model. The model incorporates the following five steps: assess social functioning, distinguish between skill acquisition and performance deficits, select intervention strategies, implement intervention, and evaluate and monitor progress. This model will also show you how to organize and make sense of the myriad of social skills strategies and resources currently available to parents and professionals it is not meant to replace other resources or strategies, but synthesize them into one comprehensive program.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">S.O.S. Social Skills in Our Schools **<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 15.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Scott Bellini **<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Building Social Relationships **<span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 14.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

For more on Scott Bellini's Program go to:

[]