What are your best Social Skills techniques

[amarie1]

DS 11 2e/Aspergers is up for his IEP renewal. We are fortunate to have a cooperative school but the district is very small so no real peers for a group. He receives OT, SLT and intervention services and is in the regular classroom.

I'd like to concentrate on social skills and self advocacy (jr. high starts next year) and I'm wondering what you all have tried and what has worked for you. Any input would be appreciated.

Anne

[chaya]

Anything from Michelle Garcia Winner

I am a fan of Michelle Garcia Winner. Almost anything that she recommends works. Attached is a link to her website, in case you aren't familiar with her yet.

http://www.socialthinking.com/what-is-social-thinking

Being a 'social detective' has been very effective for my son. This involves learning to understand what other people are feeling by observing their body language.

Hope this helps.

[Patrice1]

ITA with this

Michelle Garcia Winner's curriculum is terrific. DS gets it in his school. He just began a social skills group this year (he is also Aspergers), and our district paid for a social skills summer camp for ESY. I don't know where you live, but you could try looking for social skills groups outside school. Depending on the state, it may be covered by insurance. Good luck, this is THE most important thing for our kiddos. I am more happy if ds makes a friend (or even has a nice conversation with a peer) than if he gets a good grade.

[trek]

Envious of all the great districts you live in-nothing like that is done here without a fight

I have not heard of the program, but looks good. Keep us updated.

Sorry to turn this into Grant's story, but he did not receive any social skills group help until 6th grade despite trying to get it in school since age 3. His first major behavior issues surfaced in 5th grade: dealing with peers- very telling what lack of social skills training does to a child who is in inclusive setting.He has no friends at all outside of school-zero.He did make one friend last year who moved out of state in March.

[amarie1]

Yes, I'm grateful that I don't have to hire a lawyer

but I'll tell you it takes a lot of time. Our SLT is keen on Michelle Garcia Winner's curriculum. The "team" is still working on the IEP and I am still politely advocating for inclusion of social skills as one of the goals (third year since I started), hopefully it will be a dedicated goal. Lots to do over the next week. Lots of educating to do. DS is participating in a social skills group outside of school, fortunately mostly covered by insurance. I have to remind myself to be patient.

My current mantra (chanted at every opportunity in meetings is: If it is good for DS, then it is good for everyone) - can you say "group work".

A few weeks ago I saw where DS was in terms of his progress. We were at a soccer game of young ones and the other team had a player that was like my son at that age (7ish). Then we went to a party of his "best friend" who had all of his regular friends there playing touch football. In one day I saw how far he had come and how distant his "peers" actually were. I had a good cry and picked myself up and started advocating with a renewed vigor.

Hang in there Trek, you are a wonderful advocate for Grant and you will prevail.

Anne

[trek]

Any update? If your son has a FRIEND, than he is doing great IMHO.

[amarie1]

Yes, he is lucky as he has a couple of friends.

I doubt the fellow he considers his best friend will remain friends once I stop babysitting him, but the relationship has been good for both boys as well as my younger DS. At school he has a friend too and is actually well received by most of the kids (very small school in a small neighborhood so they all have been going to school together since Kdg). Some understanding parents too. This isn't to say that he has ever been invited to a birthday party, outing etc. but given his personality he's ok with that most of the time. He is still slogging away with social skill training, group and private therapy (fourth year). He is making progress (slow, but forward - most of the time, progress).

School continues to try, making all the edits to the IEP I requested and open to more changes (which it needs) Again, we are thankful. We have started working on the transition to Jr. High. I met with the principal and
ounselor for jr. high to introuce myself and talk about DS strengths and challenges. They seemed attentive and sincere.

Currently he's a mess, better this week than last but still in mess territory. Stopped risperidone and ADHD meds so his inattention and exec., functioning are causing some major problems with school work and depression and anxiety are at problematic levels. Switched anti depressents (generic celexa to generic zoloft) and added a booster of abilify as he has been increasingly confrontational and the talk of self injury has returned.

I turned down a part time job because I just couldn't see not making all of the above my primary focus right now. Makes things tight financially but I've got to continue to be ace advocate because no one else is going to and he's benefitting. Again, I feel fortunate that it is even an option.

Anne