Wise Owls Social Club

Social skills are some of the more challenging behaviors for learners and families living with autism to conquer. Many individuals who have autism are not able to learn social skills  from observation alone. Satisfaction, happiness and community participation success often depends on social behavior. Families often depend on structured, safe, supportive environments for their children to learn these skills.

Researchers at the University of Utah and U.C. Davis MIND Institute reviewed five commercial social skills curricula and identified the elements of an effective social skills group*:

• • Provide structure and predictability
  • Break down abstract social concepts into concrete actions
  • Simplify language and group children by language level
  • Work in pairs or groups with cooperation and partnership encouraged
  • Provide multiple and varied learning opportunities
  • Foster self-awareness and self-esteem
  • Provide opportunities for practice so that skills are used beyond the group in real life settings

* https://www.autismspeaks.org/social-skills-and-autism

We keep it interesting, fun, and supportive with the learners assessing and helping each other with an instructor’s guidance. We practice sharing, direction following, meal-time conversation directly through making a snack once a week with our friends! If a friend is having a less than stellar day, their friends address it and offer solutions! We tell jokes and laugh a lot.