This article, Friend to Friend: Students Help Their Special Ed Peers Learn to Fit In, highlights a wonderful program at a high school in Illinois that teaches basic social skills through modeling and group work. Students are shown how to give a high-five, say hello in the hallway and give a hug to a friend by their peers. Peer groups such as these can be fortified and supplmented with quality materials at home and during other parts of the school day. The Fitting In and Having Fun DVD Series uses peer modeling to show appropriate/inappropritate behavior at both the elementary and middle school level. The School Rules! Series is an interactive CD that teaches students about behavior in the classroom as well as what happens during unstructured times such as in the hallway and lunchtime. The video sequences on the CDs can be tailored for each individual child’s skill level and ability. Finally, there’s the Know the Code at School series that uses flashcards and video modeling to address everything from classroom behavior, peer relationships, transitions and commom etiquette.

Peer social skills groups are ideal and there are myriad ways to reinforce and generalize the skills addressed during group time at home.

The holidays are always a solid reminder of the gratitude we have for all of the great teachers, staff and caregivers who work with our children.  It is always such a joy to see them open their hearts to our kids, giving them the gift of friendship and steering them through their academic and social mazes.  We recently attended a holiday party for our daughter’s residence.  It was filled with music, dancing, good food and great affection among their families, teachers and caregivers.  Of course, it was chaos but it was lively and full of love for each person.  It’s always good to remember who is with us on this journey and how much they contribute to all of our lives and that their participation is a loving choice.

From all of us at Different Roads to Learning, we wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday.

We love the practical, free tips that Rethink Autism puts up. This video addresses the holiday season and how to prepare your child for all of the excitement as well as the lack of structure they usually receive at school. We had our first snow flurries here in New York City last night which got us thinking about the long winter ahead so there’s another tip from RA on preparing your child for winter.

We’d like to tell you about a new website called NetBuddy. This supportive and friendly community gives parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists – people with everyday experience of learning disabilities – the chance to share practical tips and strategies. Join to give or get a tip, share videos and swap ideas in the online forum. There are over 800 tried and true suggestions up already!
NetBuddy is based in the U.K. and although the tips are applicable globally, this is an extra helpful resource for all of you in the United Kingdom.