Developing social skills as a child with autism can sometimes be difficult. Having the child hang out with other kids at the playground is good but if the child is unsure of how to interact appropriately with others, the play time may end quite fast. It is often heartbreaking as a parent to watch your child not have any friends or find it hard to communicate with other peers. Entering your child in to a social skills class may be the answer.
Before social skills class
My daughter who has high functioning autism is quirky and extremely entertaining to me. She often repeats sentences or ask the same question over and over and I've grown used to it but others around her sometimes find it annoying. Taking the time to listen to another is quite a challenging task for her but she does try. Standing up for herself or being bullied was not a pleasant experience, sometimes she was not aware that it was happening. Engaging in a topic that was not about baby chickens or video games was not something that she would do quite often.
Social skills class experience
After the first day of social skills class she looked at me and smiled when she was talking. She made eye contact and listened and of course a smile came to my face. This was what she had learned on her first day and her homework was to practice listening and making eye contact with others. My daughter was having so much fun going to the class and learning new skills everyday. She asked if she could go to class the whole summer. My daughter wanted to learn these skills and was willing to participate. I was so glad to see joy in her eyes and the positive steps she was taking. The week long class ended in the kids performing a skit on all the different things they learned.
What is taught in social skills class (camp)
- Eye Contact - Listening, Physical Space Boundaries
- Manners with Friends: Starting and Maintaining Conversations
- Greeting People and Joining a Group Respecting Others -- Treat Others With Respect
- Nonverbal communication -- Turn Up the Volume
- Showing Interest in Others
- Saying You're Sorry
- Giving Compliments -- Accomplishing Goals
- Feel Good about Yourself - Improve Your Mood
- Using Self Control and Anger Management
- Talking Back to Worry Thoughts
- How to Handle Being Teased
- Don't Talk About Other People Behind Their Backs
- Positive Traits - Have Patience - Be Honest
- Don't Let the Little Things Bring You Down
- Strategies in Life -- Don't Announce Your Strengths/Admit Your Weaknesses
- Say Thank You -- Apologize Quickly and Sincerely
What the doctor says about social skills class
In speaking with Kristen C. Wynns, PhD Licensed psychologist who runs the social skills class in Cary, NC this is what she had to say;
1. Question:
What are the benefits of taking a social skills class?
Answer:
A major goal of social skills training is teaching persons who may or may not have emotional problems about the verbal as well as nonverbal behaviors involved in social interactions. There are many people who have never been taught such interpersonal skills as making "small talk" in social settings, or the importance of good eye contact during a conversation. In addition, many people have not learned to "read" the many subtle cues contained in social interactions, such as how to tell when someone wants to change the topic of conversation or shift to another activity. Social skills training helps patients to learn to interpret these and other social signals, so that they can determine how to act appropriately in the company of other people in a variety of different situations. SST proceeds on the assumption that when people improve their social skills or change selected behaviors, they will raise their self-esteem and increase the likelihood that others will respond favorably to them.
2. Question:
Who could benefit from taking the class?
Answer:
A child diagnosed with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD, social anxiety, ADHD. In addition, extremely shy or socially awkward kids also benefit.
3. Question:
What is the age range of the children participating in the class?
Answer:
At our practice, we have a "little kid group" (ages 4-6), our most common group is school age (6 or 7 - 10) and then we have a new middle school group (6th - 8th graders).
4. Question:
What are some of the activities that the children do?
Answer:
We do role play with puppets, role play with the kids, watch educational videos, use computer software to play games, make art projects, read books, play board games, and eat snacks while they are practicing the skills of having conversations, etc.
5. Question:
Who teaches the class?
Answer:
We typically have a Ph.D. level psychologist with an intern or practicum student as a "co-leader."
Where can I find a social skills class for my child
Social skills classes will run for 6 weeks, starting September, 2010. Wednesdays 5:30 to 7pm.
The location is Office of Wynn's Family Psychology
1135 Kildaire Farm Rd., Suite 200, Cary NC 27511
Leaders: Dr. Wynn's and Brandis McMillan
Ages: Children ages 6 through 10.
Cost: $90 per week OR discount for paying in advance for all sessions = $475 discounted price (most insurance providers will reimburse some % of the fee; We can help file insurance for reimbursement). $90 deposit required to reserve a spot for your child.
A small snack is provided during each group.
*Please let us know if any food allergies in advance of the group*
To Register: Call 805-0182 or email info@wynnsfamilypsychology.com
Space is limited so call or email now to reserve a spot for your child!
We will be using a new curriculum based on Model Me Kids (modelmekids.com) as well as a curriculum based on Boost Kids: as well as other education programs and videos.
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