Can-Do's/Can't-Do's

Lately, some of my friends have been having a tough time remembering what they Can-Do when they're upset or angry. Often times my friends use unsafe words and actions which are on the definite Can't-Do list. After seeing my supervisor work with one friend on this very issue, I decided to work with a couple of friends in my other groups.

So far I have worked with one friend and it was a great teachable moment. A different friend provoked him and my friend wanted to retaliate. I was there and able to steer him towards the break room, tears and all. After some cool-down time, and food, he was ready to chat. I spent time with him in the quiet space working through an anger thermometer followed by a list of his Can-Do's/Can't-Do's.

He did such a great job identifying situations that make him feel the varying degrees of anger, which provided some interesting insight. He did need some prompting and scaffolding to identify which strategies went on which list. For example, his go to of physical contact with someone was a definite Can't-Do and he needed that reminder. Instead, he could squeeze putty or a squeeze ball. (He liked the idea of making his own squeeze ball too.)

When his counselors went over his daily note he identified that "When [he] thought about [his] goals, [he] liked that [he] worked on calm down strategies in the quiet space."

Be still my heart! I haven't heard sweeter words all summer!

I'll hope for similar results from my next friend and hope to see this friend using some strategies we discussed. *fingers crossed!*

Until next thyme,
Erika

Sharing the Conversation Space

Thanks to Pinterest I found yet another Social Thinking theme to have with one of my groups this past week. This week I focused on sharing the conversation space. This group has more than its fair share of Chatty Cathy's and the counselors found it difficult to manage. In any given moment they could have two kiddos vying for their attention. 

I decided to show a short video to serve as an introduction to sharing the conversation space. In the video two boys are having a conversation about dogs. One boy dominates the conversation and does not give the other a chance to comment. The next segment provides the internal monologue of each boy, indicating what they were thinking and feeling. I had my group predict how each boy might have felt before we watched this segment. The final segment is a sort of 're-do' of the conversation in which both boys use their social thinking skills to allow each other ample "Air Time." The group was engaged throughout this video and I will definitely remember that as I plan for future sessions.

Video from www.tdsocialskills.com/video1.htm 

The second half of group was spent thinking about conversations in terms of a pie or pizza. It is important to provide everyone with equal "Air Time" in the group. I had a coloring worksheet for the kiddos to fill out that was pre-divided for the number of group members. We also discussed how counselors and other grown-ups can sometimes we "Air Hogs." In this discussion we talked about how often times counselors are given directions, trying to be helpful, or keeping you safe. One camper decided to draw the conversation space for his mother and he. Let's just say his perception of how much "Air Time" his mom got was interesting. However, working on that perception is another lesson for another day ;) !

http://autismteachingstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Pie-chart-Slide-2-corrected2.jpg

http://autismteachingstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Pie-chart-1.jpg

The counselors were impressed as to how engaged the group members were during the activities. I provided them with the visuals of sharing the conversation space and being an "Air Hog" to use as reminders throughout the summer. Previously, in their Morning Meetings, the group had made personal "Give Me 5" visuals for each camper as well as a speaker card. This was in an effort to use speaking and listening visuals as a reminder when one feels the need to interrupt or interject. 

Until next thyme,
Erika

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest for even more ideas!

Social Detective

Thanks to Pinterest I have found so many great resources to use during internship (and beyond), decorate my home (that I don't have), recipes to cook (when I have free time), and cute animals (to "ooh" and "ahh" over).

It has also been essential in preparing for summer camp! A coworker suggested we start a group board since we were all re-pinning the same resources again and again. Thanks to this great feature we have been able to pool our efforts and create a pretty decent array of games, projects, and varying resources to help our population (children who have Autism/Aspergers).

At camp this summer I serve as the Assistant Site Director (ASD). In this role I supervise three groups aged 5 to 9, which includes 13 campers (as of now) and 6 staff members. Also run a social thinking group for two of the groups. There is an additional ASD who works with the 10 to 14 year old at camp. All of these kids are based out of Boston while a second site is based out of a suburb 40 minutes outside Boston at a Reservation. For more info on the camp check out the website.

In the first week of camp my Site Director/Supervisor suggested using Michelle Garcia Winner's book You're a Social Detective as a way to introduce expected and unexpected behaviors. For my first group of campers (7-8 years) we read the first section of the book on expected behavior. We then did a coloring activity to identify their different types of smarts (including Social Smarts!). The kids (and adults) found it tricky but everyone came up with some great smarts.

For my second social thinking group of the week (aged 8-9 years) worked on the same topic with a different spin. The group also listened to the book but worked on both expected AND unexpected behaviors. Following the read aloud the group took part in a scavenger hunt I found along my Pinterest browsing. Campers searched for clues that forced them to identify whether the behavior was expected or unexpected. Based on their response they were led to the next clue. The campers LOVED this activity and demonstrated some great turn-taking and teamwork skills. The activity can be found here.

I'll be brainstorming some ideas for next week's groups and tailoring it to the needs of the group (e.g., whole body listening, safety, etc). Thanks to Pinterest this may be easier than I think :)

Be sure to follow me for resources that will (hopefully) make your group planning that much easier.

Until next thyme,

Erika

Yes..I'm still here!

As the title of the post states, I am still alive and well. I have had such a roller coaster of the past 4 months its hard to keep up. As of late I have:

1. Finished my first year of graduate school.
2. Finished my first year working as a school psychology practicum student
3. Passed my Master's Exam (cue the confetti cannon)
4. Been published *almost* twice by the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association (MSPA)--once in the spring newsletter and on the website in the near future
5. Almost done with summer session classes
6. Working at summer camp as the administrative assistant a.k.a. Queen of YouthCare ;)

As you can see I have been a busy busy girl...and most of the above tasks have NOTHING to do with food :( So, I am turning my frown upside-down and asking for YOUR help! 

Your task: help me to compile a set of recipes to introduce to my campers this summer. In essence, I want to help make a resource for counselors and staff to use to make "cooking" activities easier. 

Things to consider: 

• Recipes must be nut free or able to be made nut free. 
• Recipes must also be affordable. We obviously have a budget and must be conscious of the ingredients we are buying (e.g., rarely used and/or expensive)
• Our camp groups are named after various countries around the world, so feel free to pass along any and all international recipes

Let the sharing begin!

Until next thyme,

Erika

John Robison Event

If you have followed my blog from the beginning, or you read my early entires, you would know that I have spent the past 4, going on 5, summers working with children on the Autism Spectrum at YouthCare. YouthCare provides a summer camp experience for children on the Autism Spectrum in both Charlestown and Westwood, MA. There are also teen programs in the summer, including career skill building and summer explorations. During the school year there are opportunities for social skills groups and programs for teens (e.g. Saturday Explorations). 


In working with children on the Autism Spectrum, I immediately fell in love. I love the uniqueness of every child I encounter. I love the challenges each child brings to the table that helps me to grow professionally and personally, even if its hard to see the payoff in the moment. These children can be so misunderstood sometimes and I am happy to be an advocate for them and be on their side.


Aside from working hands-on with children, I also find myself self-educating. I have a few books on my shelf that involve Autism. One book that I truly enjoyed is Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. When I was in college I saw someone carrying this book around. I didn't know what the subject matter was, but the cover looked intriguing. I went online and researched it to discover a memoir written by a man named John Elder Robison. He spent his life unaware he has Asperger's. The stories he tells and the life he has lived is unbelievable! I definitely recommend the memoir, especially is you are interested in this population. 


On May 18th, YouthCare is holding a book signing and discussion with John Robison. He has recently written a second book titled Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian. I can't wait to pick this book up for a summer read!


If you're interested in learning more about John Robison, check out this interview from the Today Show. For more information on Autism Spectrum Disorders check out this Youtube channel: the Wrong Planet. I haven't had a chance to browse it yet, but definitely will be soon.


For more information on the event, please check this website and RSVP for the event. EVENT WEBSITE Hope to see you there!


Until next thyme,
Erika