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| The Art of Social Skills Groups: An Integrative Approach Utilizing Both Indirect Methods of Peer Mediation Instruction and Intervention and Direct Methods of Behavior Skills Training |
| Thursday, May 24, 2018 |
| 4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
| Manchester Grand Hyatt, Seaport Ballroom B |
| Area: AUT/CBM; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Monica A. Fyfe, M.S. |
| MONICA A. FYFE (Our Village, A Social Learning Community ) |
| Description: Peer-mediated instruction and intervention (PMII) approaches are used to teach neuro-typically developing peers ways to interact with and help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) acquire new social skills by increasing social opportunities within natural and structured, small group environments. Within PMII, peers are carefully and systematically taught ways of engaging children with ASD in positive and extended play and social interactions in both teacher-directed and learner-initiated activities (English et al., 1997; Odom et al., 1999; Strain & Odom, 1986). The National Professional Development Center on ASD has adopted specific definitions of evidence-based practices which would include PMII as an evidence-based intervention within the early childhood and elementary age groups under the social skills domain. Clinicians can add to the positive effects of PMII programs by also integrating additional behavioral interventions such as Behavior Skills Training (BST) and Teaching Interactions (TI) to help improve the rates of acquisition of newly targeted behaviors and provide some direct skill teaching to all the members in the social skills group. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to: (1) list three evidence-based social skills interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder; (2) state the five critical elements of both behavior skills training and teaching interactions; (3) describe peer mediation interventions; (4) describe how to select and train peer models; (5) describe how to differentially prompt and reinforce peer models within the social skills group. |
| Activities: Workshop objectives will be met through a balanced presentation of lecture, discussion, video observation, guided practice, and behavioral rehearsal. Small group breakout's will target practice of the core content including adaptation of materials to case presentations, role-play in small groups, and demonstration of differential reinforcement procedures related to developmental and mastery levels. Supplemental materials to further support learning targets and vocabulary, will be provided to help attendees assess the needs of their own inclusive social communities in developing future group supports. |
| Audience: Basic Level including but not limited to BCaBA, BCBA, School Psychologists, Therapists, Psychologists, Special Education Teachers |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |
| Keyword(s): Group Support, Peer Mediation, Social Skills, Teaching Interactions |