Spectrum Educational Services

To ensure ASDreams is a safe place for everyone, the following skills are required before joining the group: Independent communication Independent toileting Turn taking Able to manage self without be coming a danger to self or others Able to attend group independently with the general supports of the leadership Dream Team Most ASDreamers have a much higher skill base than what is listed. Many high school ASDreamers have part time jobs, volunteer regularly and participate in other community groups. The picture lists some of skills ASDreamers learned in group and found particularly helpful.

Due to renovations at CORE association, ASDreams new session begins Monday, October 17.

Updates to the  ASDreams  program: New time: 5:00-7:30 New ages: age 11 now welcome New format: don't forget to bring your supper Sample schedule : 5:00 Opening together 5:15 Theme activity together 5:45 Group A skills/group B free time 6:15 Supper together 6:45 Group B skills/group A free time 7:15 Closing together 7:30 Home

Here are links for resources I referred to recently. The  Social Thinking  website has great information about key social thinking concepts and links to their materials. Advance OT created the Good Sense workshop which helps find the "Just Right" state for learning. If the funky tune "Keep Your Body in the Goup" is still playing in your head you can replay the  video . You can find more of my son's music here . If there was a resource I've missed, please contact me and I'll add it to this post.

The UP (Untapped Potential) program gives adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities employment support. Training includes skills and e mployability assessments, Life Skills workshops, job search skills, continued support on the job site, support to the employer, multiple work experiences, job customization, job placements, and three and six month follow up. I'll be doing some of their staff training. More information is available at  Being Human Services .

Do I agree with the definition of "good social skills"? After attending the annual  Children's Autism Services of Edmonton  conference earlier this month, I'm not so sure. Renee Attaway from Michelle Garcia Winner 's team started the day long session with a description of good social skills. "The ability to adapt your behavior effectively based on the situation and what you know about the people in the situation for them to react and respond to you in the manner you had hoped ." (italics mine) I feel uneasy with the last phrase. Is the ultimate goal of using social skills essentially to get what I want? Where does genuine concern for others fit in this description? Attaway mentioned the preteen girl who rises to the position of "Queen Bee" in the classroom as a master of social skills. My experience of queen bees, both as a student and now as a parent, is not positive. Excluding others. Overt putdowns. Yet always surrounded by other girls who...