1. POAC-NoVA Presents Socialization A Quick Review

2. What is socialization? A continuing process whereby a person acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior and social skills appropriate to their society.

3. How do we learn socialization? Socialization is a natural learning process. We observe other members in society and decide if we should imitate their behaviors. As children, we learn how to be part of society through our interactions with other children and adults.

4. Why is socialization important? Socialization enables members of society to interact with one another and pass on skills, values, beliefs, knowledge and appropriate modes of behavior.

5. Autism and socialization Autism is characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication along with the presence of repetitive, stereotypic behaviors. All three deficits affect a person’s ability to learn social skills through the natural process of socialization.

6. Promoting socialization in children with autism Teach prerequisite skills through home program Frequent exposure to the community and typical children Practice social skills across several different environments.

7. Prerequisite Skills Early Learner Teach imitation skills, e.g. waving Engage in turn taking games Reinforce eye contact

8. Prerequisite Skills Intermediate Learner Increase language skills, reinforce talking in sentences & labeling pictures Reinforce imitation skills Work on manding and tacting skills

9. Prerequisite Skills Advanced Learner Practice asking and answering questions while staying on topic Work on recall of past events, getting into more detail and longer sentences. Bring in a peer to work on skills

10. Practical Best Practices for NET Get frequent hair cuts – even if its not fun Mirror age and seasonally appropriate dress Appearance influences the first impression! Sometimes just blending in is great!

11. What’s Fonzie like? correct - a - mundo

12. GO OUT! Park / playground Fast food – sit down Casual restaurants (Fuddruckers, Friendlys) Shopping Mall Supermarket

13. Early Learner IEP Goals Inclusion with typical peers every week for 2 to 3 hours (with support) Music & PE twice per week each Evaluate how much time is appropriate for your child (don’t say “best” - FAPE) SUBTRACT LUNCH FROM YOUR TIME

14. Intermediate Learner IEP goals Inclusion with typical peers every week for 3 to 4 hours (with support) Art, music & PE twice per week each (45 min) Library once per week (45 min) Evaluate how much time is appropriate (not best) for your child & don’t forget lunch!

15. Advanced Learner IEP Goals Taken out of inclusion only when absolutely necessary to benefit your child Support only when needed Fight to keep your IEP or FBA (if needed) “HFA” is still autism.

16. Thank You Frank Mulkearns fjmulk@yahoo.com POAC-NoVA is an all volunteer non-profit with no paid staff. If you would like to see more classes, we could always use extra help and fresh ideas. Many of the slides in this presentation were shamelessly copied from socialization presentations prepared by other people.