Piece of the Puzzle

The Autism Society of Iowa Fall Conference will feature internationally renowned keynote speaker Stephen Shore, Ph.D. presenting on the 3A’s of Autism: Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation as a Pathway to Fulfilling and Productive Lives . The conference will also offer multiple breakout sessions. Click here for more information.

The Function of Preference Assessments for Students and  Their Importance in Applied Behavior Analysis Techniques     Preference assessments are an integral piece of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) but, first, what is ABA? ABA involves research-based strategies for conducting preference assessments, teaching behaviors (including academic behaviors) by using specific and systematic methods for instruction, providing consistent and scripted adult-response strategies following various student behaviors, presenting highly motivating and immediate reinforcement following defined (correct or appropriate) behaviors, and determining systems of data collection and analysis. Read More

The Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond -  Dr. Jed Baker The Social Skills Picture Book: Teaching Play, Emotion, and Communication in Children with  Autism -  Jed Baker The Incredible 5-Point Scale -  Kari Dunn Buron & Mitzi Curtis Preparing for Life -  Dr. Jed Baker Social Skills Solutions -  Kelly McKinnon & Janis Krempa Social Behavior Mapping -  Michelle Garcia Winner Building Social Relationships -  Scott Bellini Inclusive Programming for Elementary Students with Autism -  Sheila Wagner The Zones of Regulation -  Leah M. Kuypers The Hidden Curriculum -  Brenda Smith Myles The Hidden Curriculum: Getting and Keeping a Job… -  Brenda Smith Myles How Do I Teach This Kid? -  Kimberly A. Henry Social Skills Training -  Jed E. Baker Tasks Galore: Making Groups Meaningful -  Laurie Eckenrode Social Skills Lessons and Activities for Grades 7-12 -  Ruth Weltmann B...

Social Skills and Autism    What are social skills? Everyone uses them everyday. These are skills that we use at work, play, school, day care, grocery store, etc. Without appropriate social skills, individuals are often identified as having behavior problems. Social skills allow an individual to initiate and maintain positive social relationships. Through social skills, we learn to recognize and manage emotions, develop caring and empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.One of the largest deficits for individuals on the Autism Spectrum is their ability to understand and interact in the social world.

If you are a special education teacher, speech & language pathologist, OT, social worker, administrator, counselors, regular education teacher, paraprofessional, psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, nurse, or parent this conference is for you! Join us to learn the latest strategies and interventions for teachers that can be used in the classroom immediately.  Check it out!

Tune into Social Thinking's webinars each month for the next 10 month and learn best practices for teaching core Social Thinking concepts—which build on each other and foster the development of social competencies. They'll also explain which Social Thinking products you can use with different age groups to extend the teaching of these concepts. Don't miss the first one on August 29th!

It’s time to get ready to go back to school. This can be challenging for every student and sometimes children with autism need some extra help to be prepared. We have the tools to get you started towards the best school year yet!