Assessing Children's Social Skills

In the teaching at home and school in special needs education, social skills teaching is a popular topic. For many children, these skills emerge naturally without any teaching of these 'unwritten rules of communication' - so how do we assess and teach them?
The principals of the A.B.A. protocol give us tools to teach some social skills as part of our everyday teaching. These include communicating with others in an appropriate way, following instructions, learning and adapting new skills and behaviour patterns.

The book I often refer to is called 'Social Skills Solutions' - a hands-on manual, written by Kelly McKinnon and Janis Krempa. It is described well by Rafael Castro:

"Starting with the initial assessment of the child's proficiency proir to the start of the program to the implementation of each of it's modules to the smallest details"

 The checklist and modules in the book are well-designed and when completed, cover a full range of skill areas for evaluation. This helps us to write recommendations and curriculum development for individual children.  

The text also covers strategies for your curriculum, and a good selection of useable resources.

For those of us who are working with children who have social skills difficulties, this is an extremly useful text.

You can also write social stories for children.

Points to include in your social story:

1. A title
2. A narrative - what do you want your child to learn?
3. Event lines
4. Emotion lines
5. Story lines
6. A ending

You can also include pictures to illustrate the key aspects of your story.

The games we write at Hometrain - 'How Are You?' and 'Hello' each have eight characters, 4 boys and 4 girls. Each child has a social scenario and emotion that the player can learn about, and relate to. They are written this way to join together children, emotions and related social scenarios together.

Associated worksheets and colouring pages are printable also from the same disc.

The birthday party game is fun to play and opens up many different avenues of conversation and learning about this social scene.

You can play this free online here: http://www.hometrain.ie/games/party.php

There are also colouring pages in our free resources.

Happy teaching!

Claire.

Ten More Things you didn't know about us....

1. Hometrain.ie is the only developer of social skills software in Ireland
2. Hometrain has a sister company called 'Hometrain Media' - which is  a CD and DVD printing company: http://www.hometrain.ie/media
3. Claire researches,develops and writes our programmes, she also really likes Jedward
4. The Hometrain Social Skills Group is now 1 year old, and runs every Saturday (term-time) 
5. The book on CD 'Going to School' is being translated into Irish, ready to launch in May/June 2011
6. William is the programmer and developer of all software, as well as the website, which he updates with changes most days!
7. Hometrain Ltd publishes and produces it's own products in Ireland
8. The next big project is App development for i-Phones
9. The project after that is called 'Going to Hospital' for App and CD-Rom
10. Hometrain are working hard and surviving the recession - support us - help us feel better! 

Why Special Needs Children Don't Enjoy Parties

Love them or hate them, birthday parties are part and 'parcel' of child-life, and indeed adult life too.
Before talking about kids though, think about the adults in your life (yourself included) and how you react to birthday parties. There are generally three types:

1) Yes! The party lover! Enjoys their parties, the kids' parties, other people's parties, planning, organising, having people around or going out, the more the merrier etc. Usually a sociable type of person who likes to have events to look forward to and likes groups and enjoys excitement.
2) Maybe, erm, o.k. The party attendee! Will go when invited, doesn't mind parties, but if given a choice, prefers to have a quiet celebration without all the hassle. The classic line for this person - 'You'll enjoy it when you get there' (know anyone like this?) and 'don't go to any trouble on my account.'

3) No! Party pooper! Does not like fuss, too many people, too much to organise for just a birthday unless it's a significant birthday. May go

along to the party, but but probably whine and

moan until you get in the door. Classic line for this person -

'I'll just go for an hour'.

It's a combination of personality type, our life experience of parties, plus how we express our needs/wants/desires at celebrations.

So what about our kids?
We take pleasure in seeing our children grow to become excited about parties, many count the days, weeks, hours and minutes until their next brithday, liking to help organise what to have, where to go and what they want to do etc. Other children don't mind parties, and like us, some do not experience the same enjoyment.
If you are a party person, and you as a parent have kids who are party kids, then great. If you are a party parent, and your kid is not a party kid, then to some degree, there's not a lot you can do!

If your child has special needs, they too might love parties (some too much) and there are reasons why they don't enjoy parties.
Here's a term we all know and love: Being 'over stimulated' which is caused by high excitement, anticipation and sensory overload. For some children, this can be an unpleasant experience, feeling out of control and unsure how to process the events. Especially high when surrounded with decorations and everyone is creating a party atmosphere.
There are 7 senses we use to process information:
1) Sight 2) Sound 3) Touch 4) Smell 5) Taste 6) Body posture 7) Movement
Our brains constantly process all these senses to help us feel secure, and know how to act in different situations.
Children who have sensory dysfunction cannot process all this information smoothly, and therefore are unable to react in social situations in the same way we expect them to - even if they have been to lots of parties.
Many children do not experience fun or excitement in the same way we do, and being centre of attention can be an extremely unpleasant experience.

Some ways you can help:

• Give your child choices about when and where and if they want a party
• Give them choices about activities, the cake and games
• Make a calendar to count down the days if they are very excited
• Make a book about birthdays, learn about presants, cards, cake etc.
• Give your child choices about what clothing they want (they may feel more comfortable in something familiar instead of new)
• Give them time to prepare for going to a party - if they haven't been to the house before, you could arrange a pre-party play date
• Don't push it if they don't want to go - give them time to feel comfortable going to parties
• Go to choose the party gift together

Kids can play a great party game free online, from the social skills communication game 'Hello'
Go here:http://www.hometrain.ie/games/party.php

And just for the record................ I love parties!

Claire.

Implementing the ‘Whole-School’ Approach: Special Needs Education

Special education relates to children who, after assessment, have been diagnosed as having an intellectual or physical disability which means they should be eligible to learning assistance.


In 2000, the Department of Education issued ‘Learning Support Guidelines’ and ‘The Inclusion of Students with Special Educational Needs’ (2006), which support the learning of children in mainstream schools. These guidelines were set out to promote:

‘the implementation in all schools of policies which emphasise the enhancement of classroom-based learning for all pupils, the prevention of learning difficulties and the provision of early intervention and learning support programmes’ (2000; 9)

It was recommended that a collaboration with groups to create a ‘whole-school approach’ as the most effective way to integrate children with special education needs, and was written in the EPSEN Act (2004). The whole-school policy, if put into practice, could provide a framework for classrooms across communities and soften the blow of the cut backs.

Now – (2011) in primary schools, the learning needs of individual children rests mainly with the class teacher, who collaborates daily with learning support teachers and special needs assistants. Without a national framework for special needs placements, many teachers are relying on their own knowledge and experience of special education and use their own resources and learning support strategies. With class sizes of around 30 pupils in many schools, it is little wonder that a positive, thoughtful response to teaching children with special education needs is extremely difficult to provide.

What is available now? Support teaching in the form of special needs assistants and learning support is provided, with the assistance of special education needs officers (SENO’s). Recently announced cuts to the provision of SNA’s will have heartbreaking effect for many families who have fought and struggled their way through the education system which granted a SNA which this coming September, they may not be entitled to.

Implementing the ‘whole-school’ approach:

For a whole-school approach to be effective, the role of the special needs assistant should be clearly defined, and their skills in promoting meaningful participation recognised.

The creation of the ’whole-school’ approach, as envisaged by the EPSEN Act could also include additions to the curriculum, such as social skills teaching and provision of learning support resources. Teacher training in instructional methods and dealing with problem behaviour could also be included.

In a ‘whole-school’ approach, the recognition of skills that qualified SNA’s and learning support teachers have, should be formerly recognised and utilised.

Let’s hope that the Department of Education review the systems that are in place and proceed to develop a ‘whole-school’ approach, using the talent and experience of our teachers and SNA’s, and promote inclusive education effectively.

________________________________________________________

What can you do to help prepare your child for school?


Taking the big step to primary school can be daunting – for parents and children, even if they have attended a preschool. You want to give your child the best possible advantage for their first day at school. The book on CD 'Going to School' makes the transition easier for children - especially useful for those who are dependent on their home environment and routines. It introduces special needs assistants. Check out the website: www.hometrain.ie

Ten things you can encourage your child to do before they start school:


1. Take care of and be familiar with own belongings.

2. Open and close lunch box, school bag and pencil case.

3. Name items in their pencil case.

4. Recognise their own name on their school books.

5. Understand their teachers can help them.

6. Put on, take off and fasten their own coat.

7. Adjust clothes if too hot/cold.

8. Take off and put on shoes.

9. Take turns.

10. Use the toilet unattended.


The Book on CD 'Going to School' is available now at: http://www.hometrain.ie/

Claire Whyte.

Hometrain Ltd.

www.hometrain.ie

00353 (0)46 9091163 or 00353 (0)87 6907663

claire@hometrain.ie

Teaching Special Needs Children at Home

Whether you are waiting for early intervention services to begin, or have difficulty being allocated a special needs assistant, here are 10 tips to get you started teaching your special needs child at home:

1. Establish a positive play relationship with your child so the are happy to come to the table with you. Don't make too many demands on them at the start, begin with play things they like and build up from there.
2. Create a space, either in a bedroom or kichen, but try to have it clear of clutter and distractions.
3. Introduce timers and reinforcing rewards, such as stickers, bubbles, balls as ways of reinforcing good work and attempts to communicate with you. Start to use these inbetween your play activities.  
4. Slowly begin to introduce some 'work' activities inbetween the play activities (maybe after just playing at the table for a few weeks) Use lots of reinforcers and praise.
5. Exhibit their worksheets and add stickers and gold stars.
6. Consider siblings - you may be wise to find a friend or relative who will take your other children for an hour a week until you have developed a good teaching relationship.
7. Always have toys and reinforcers nearby, that you control as a way to encourage your child to stay at the table.
8. Have a weekly goal in mind, make notes and reflect on what worked and what didn't.
9. Enjoy it - you can teach lots of subjects in many different ways, so try to be a little creative and you will keep your child's attention a little longer.
10. Keep a folder for your work and encourage any attempt to show and tell other family memebers all about their fantastic work!

There are lots of free teaching printables at: http://www.hometrain.ie/resources/

If you want a great course of home tuition lesson plans, guidelines to working at home with tonnes of resources, games, worksheets, songs and more included each week?
Go to: http://www.hometrain.ie/lessons/


Home Tuition made easy - all you need, week-by-week!

As always, you can contact me for any more ideas or information: claire@hometrain.ie

Preparing Children for Starting School

Taking the big step to primary school can be daunting - both for parents and children, and especially if your child has special needs. Early intervention and planning can give your child the best possible advantage for their first day at school.


This delightful book on CD ’Going to School’ is designed to help make the transition easier for children - especially useful for those who are dependent on their home environment and routines.

With your child, read about the events of Helen and Tom’s first day at school.
Discover that Tom has a special needs assistant, where they sit and how they make new friends. Learn about: Classroom routines, Teachers, Emotions, Homework and more.

‘Going to School’ also includes learning resources for parents and pre-school teachers.

You can print from the disc:
The illustrated book in colour, the B&W colouring book, your very own ‘I’m Going to School’ mini book
visual timetables and reward chart.

Things you can encourage your child to do before they start school:


Take care of and be familiar with own belongings.


Open and close lunch box, school bag and pencil case.


Recognise their own name on their school books.


Fasten own coat.


Take off and put on shoes.


Take turns.


Use the toilet unattended.

                                     'Going to School' is available to buy online:

Please feel free to contact me for any further information or ideas: claire@hometrain.ie

Thanks,
Claire.

Teach Social Skills at Home and School - Free Delivery - Tesco Entertainment

Teaching social skills in has just got a lot easier for customers in the U.K. - thanks to Tesco Entertainment for promoting both our games with free delivery. PC - Teach Social Skills 2 - How Are You? - Free Delivery - Tesco Entertainment

You can check them out with this link, and also view them from our website: http://www.hometrain.ie/