Synopsis:
Social skills instruction embedded into social activities -- the way it should be! Destination Friendship Developing Social Skills for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders or Other Social Challenges Written was written by a team of two board-certified behavior analysts, special educators, a speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist. This book provides easy-to-use, research-based strategies and activities that support the development of friendship skills in children with ASD within an active and fun learning environment. From the initial session, participants learn that what they say and do has a direct impact on others. Adult Tour Guides (TGs) act as a personal GPS system by offering subtle coaching and social scripting throughout theme-based sessions that include social activities and situations in which children have immediate opportunities to practice their friendship skills. The Friendship Skills Checklist, a valuable tool included in this book, enables the user to identify the strengths and needs of individuals with ASD, resulting in a comprehensive assessment and interest inventory that can be used to guide social instruction and support. Foreword by Brenda Smith Myles, PhD.
About the Author:
Mary Benton, MEd, BCBA, is a retired special education consultant for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mary has a private practice as a board-certified behavior analyst serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders and/or developmental disabilities. Additionally, she is co-founder of Destination Friendship, an organization that provides fun, community-based opportunities targeted at developing friendship skills in children, and adolescents with ASD. Mary has presented at national, state, and local conferences. Mary has had a life-long passion for working with individuals with special needs, their families, and schools to build skills that will improve and increase their quality of life. Carol Hollis, MEd, BCBA, is an educational consultant for autism with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In this role, Carol provides guided practice, training, and technical assistance to general and special educators in grades K-12. Carol and her therapy dog, Lily, also provide enrichment to students by visiting classrooms. Carol and her coauthors offer evening Destination Friendship groups in the community targeted at developing friendship skills in children and adolescents with ASD and other social difficulties. Carol has presented at national, state, and local conferences and is a board member of the Harrisburg chapter of the Autism Society of America. She particularly enjoys volunteering at several events sponsored by ASA for individuals with ASD and their families. Kelly Mahler, MS, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist in the Central Pennsylvania region specializing in the development of selfregulation and social cognition skills. Additionally, Kelly is co-founder of Destination Friendship, an organization that provides fun, communitybased opportunities targeted at developing friendship skills in children and adolescents with ASD. Kelly is also author of Hygiene and Related Behaviors for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders: A Fun Curriculum with a Focus on Social Understanding. She has presented at numerous national, state, and local conferences. Alice Womer, MS, CC-SLP, has served as a speech-language pathologist and educational consultant with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for 29 years, responsible for direct treatment with students with ASD in self-contained classrooms as well as integrated settings. Additionally, she provides consultation and training to educational teams regarding the communication needs of students with ASD. Alice is the creator of the concept of curve line-straight line thinking and co-author of the children's book Curvy Herbie and Straight Nate: A Lesson in Curve Line Thinking. She has presented locally and at the national level. Alice and her co-authors offer evening Destination Friendship groups in the community targeted at developing friendship skills in children and adolescents.
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