Teaching Social Skills to Students with Autism

Although social skill deficits are an integral part of the autism diagnosis, the numerous component skills needed for a successful social interaction are often overlooked when programming for students with this developmental disability.  This one-day workshop is designed to assist educators, related personnel, and family members in identifying, prioritizing, and teaching the necessary social, language, and play skills using reinforcement-based strategies.  Specifically, participants will be given the following 

• Identify the component skills to social behavior
• Teach children with autism to recognize the value of their siblings/peers
• Incorporate typical peers through reverse mainstreaming and buddy clubs
• Learn the steps involved in teaching beginning social interaction skills
• Understand the more advanced skills needed for conversation and how to teach under strong motivation
• Take and use data in social settings
• Use supports such as social stories, video modeling, role-playing, self monitoring, social autopsies, checklists, and games to teach relevant social information