Happy New Year: Resolutions and Goal Work ... make it fun!

Happy New Year to You All !!!

Goal work ... this is what we work on all the time in therapy with our kids.  This is the time of year, though, that we all take pause to do a little self reflection, and come up with our own self goals.  Hence, the New Year's resolutions!  It's also a great time to reiterate some of the goals some of our kids have (related to interventions, therapies, and such that our kids are receiving).  Why not make it fun? Our kids have been hearing a lot about New Year's resolutions this month, in particular.  Why not create a fun game, activity, and/or craft project to map out applicable goals. 

Another thought that would be easily replicated at home is to rewrite an already familiar song (i.e. "Twinkle, ,Twinkle", "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Hokey Pokey", or use a more current song that your child likes).  Focus the lyrics around goal work ... what area(s) you want to work toward on a daily basis.  Most of you are familiar with Social Stories, and how effective they are.  Setting social stories to music takes it one more step further, making it more exciting (fun!) as well as making them easier to memorize and recall on spot.  Also, we all know how a certain tune can get "stuck in your head", right?   Why not use this concept to your advantage?   It's what was done with the ABC song, and look how effective that has been! It's used in every commercial you see for a reason.  Sing the song (maybe even have pictures or some visual prop to accompany) in the mornings and/or just before the related task (goal related task). 

Jessica

Turn Taking - An important social behavioral skill

We arrived back in town early yesterday evening from our family's annual 4th of July trip to the NC mountains. There's nothing like fireworks echoing off the mountain tops! I hope yours was wonderful, too.

Below is a description of and link to a Social Behavior activity that involves teaching and practicing a VERY important social activity ... waiting for and taking turns. This is a wonderful tool that I found on http://www.do2learn.com/.

TURN TAKING

Q: Why is this social behavioral skill important? In what areas will this benefit my child/student/client/self?
A: Along with this skill comes a greater peer awareness (rather than only focusing on one's own needs/wants). It also requires impulse control, and formal social thinking/planning.

"Turn-Taking is a crucial social skill that people need to master in order to be proficient in a variety of social situations. Remember that individuals with social and behavioral issues may need a systematic approach to teaching turn-taking behavior. Providing opportunities to practice this skill with different people and in different social situations will increase the likelihood of generalizing the skill and becoming independent with it." http://www.do2learn.com/

Here are some Real Life Examples:
-Child playing tag on the playground
-Adolescent playing a board game
-Adult getting out of a crowded parking lot

In this activity you will:

1. Read the hand-out/ "Taking Turns" Social Article
2. Develop a "Turn-Taking" Board for use with your child/student/client (see below)
3. Follow the instructions for developing structured, turn-taking activities.



This is a great tool! I encourage you to do this one if you feel this fits your child!

Jessica

Autism focus

Hello all.

I am back from my "Sister's Get-a-way Trip", and am feeling ready for the week ahead. Thank you, again, to my sweet sisters.

This blog today is focused on AUTISM. I wanted to mention a couple of resources here for you today. First off, (and I have mentioned this before in past MT newsletter) I listen to a daily podcast on http://www.faqautism.com/. I have subscribed to it, and have a link for it on my Google homepage so it's very convenient. Cathy Knoll posts these very informative and very pertinent podcasts that have not only served as a resource for me, but also for the parent's of some of my clients. The podcasts are short and sweet which is also very convenient.

I also wanted to bring to your attention (for those of you who are net yet familiar with this tool) the use of Social Stories™. If you are not familiar with Social Stories™, here is a brief description.

"A Social Story™ describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social Story™ is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience. Half of all Social Stories™ developed should affirm something that an individual does well. Although the goal of a Story™ should never be to change the individual’s behavior, that individual’s improved understanding of events and expectations may lead to more effective responses." (http://www.thegraycenter.org/ , Carol Gray)

Although Social Stories™ were initially developed for children with ASD, they are certainly very useful for persons outside of an ASD diagnoses. This may include persons with similar needs (those with social and/or communication delays) as well as typically developing persons.

Here is an example of a Social Story:

BRUSHING MY TEETH
At night I need to brush my teeth so they are clean.
I put the toothbrush in my mouth.
First I brush in the back on the bottom.
Next I brush in the back on the top.
Then I brush in the front on the bottom.
Last I brush in the front on the top.
When I am done brushing my teeth I can spit out the toothpaste.
I can rinse off my tooth brush after I spit.
When I am ALL DONE I can have something special.

Visit the link above to view/order the various Social Stories™ tools and resources, including Social Stories™ book, Social Stories™ 10.0 (PDF download), Storymovie Professional Vol. 1 (DVD), etc.