Social Skills at home curriculum

Recently we’ve added in a little extra curriculum for our son with autism during his daily regular home school.  He has come a long ways with language skills and occupational skills, although his core strength is still not quite there, but we have needed to do more for him in the way of odds and ends kind of detail work….social skill areas….that vary.  So we have introduced into his every day work the Model Me Tips & Tricks DVDs, with accompanying workbook.  “Tips & Tricks,” I think, is a misleading title…as these are thorough and important small lessons that many can use, and many could use a refresher!  The segment called “Tact” is one such area.  As defined in the DVD as:  “Tact, is when you say what you want to say, but in a way that won’t hurt others feelings.”   How true.  And how lacking it is in our current society, yet monumental to hear it described and shown in this DVD

The segments include:

Voice Modulation

Blurting

Tact

Personal Space

Grooming & Hygiene

Deep Breathing

Flexibility

Asking for Help

Sense of Humor

Student Workbook and Teacher’s Guide

All these areas have excellent examples given, acted out and explained. Many children “on the spectrum” are confused or lacking in many of these areas.  Sense of Humor, is one that took a while for our son to get a handle on, and while he “gets it” with some people, he doesn’t get it with others. It may have to do with nuances…dry senses of humor, vs. explosive obvious humor.  Those with Asperger’s Syndrome/high functioning autism often lack “theory of mind”…..the ability to detect nuances and know-how by intuitive deduction that we all take for granted.  They tend to also have a difficult time with reading body language.  All these things have to “be taught” and introduced to them visually and verbally and role-played for them to tune into it.

This curriculum definitely has my thumbs up.  I would recommend it for anyone wanting to work with their child up through teenager in the home to further them in troublesome areas and help them develop respectful boundaries with others and be able to put their best self forward.  Many spectrum children have a difficult time making and keeping friends, so equipping them to do so as best as possible is a wise move.