Be sure and check out the Calendar of Events page on Open Doors TN for upcoming events and/or social events
Link to Open Doors TN events page

SOCIAL SKILLS BUILDER
Link to socialskillsbuilder.com

Our mission is to enhance reciprocal social interaction, communication, imaginative play, and friendships between individuals on the autism spectrum and their typically developing peers.
Link to friend2friendsociety.org

Making and Keeping Friends - A model for social skills instruction
Link to Making and Keeping Friends

Dedicated to producing high quality teaching tools for children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder.
Link to Model me kids

Get the latest news on workshops, books and other developments at Social Thinking and Think Social Publishing!
Link to Social thinking

Model me kids
Link to site

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Transition information for middle / high school

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Timeline for Transition Planning by Age
Click here to visit site

Supporting High Functioning Students with Autism in Middle / High School
Click here to read

Targeting Transition for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Click here to read

Samples from Rubrics for Transition for Students on the Spectrum
Click here to read

Also, Autism Society of America National has an downloadable article called "Planning for Successful Transitions across Grade Levels"
Click here to read

Tools for Transition
Click here to read

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Parent resources:

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50 Best Blogs for Special Ed Teachers. Great info and lots of it on this site.
Link to On line U

Packed with techniques and strategies to help students with autism and their peers learn to interact with each other.
Link to Teacher Vision

Tips For Teaching High Functioning People with Autism
Link to Asperger Info

Teaching students with autism who are low functioning
Link to IRCA

Social Skills Training and Autism: The Basics
Link to Social Skills Training

Social Skills - Autism Books & Information
Link to learn more

Teaching Social Skills
Link to learn more

A Parent's Guide to Autism and PDD
Link to learn more

Ten things your students with Autism wishes you knew.
Click here to view

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Ideas to address social deficits for our children with autism in the schools

Gamer's Club

This club was created specifically for a 14 year old boy on the autism spectrum. The group (once assembled) met at lunch times, bringin interesting video games (and systems) from home each time they met . They read gaming magazines together, talked about which games they liked and why, etc. The group was facilitated by the paraprofessional and learning suppport teacher at the students high school.

Autism / Friendship Bingo

This game was introduct during class time to all the 10th grade student to help promote understanding of autism. The students enjoyed playing "Autism Bingo" and talked a great deal about the experience of their classmates on the spectrum.

Peer Led Integrated Social Groups

As part of a 12th grade project studnets particpated in a Friend 2 Friend training session. With the information learned through the training they are in the process of setting up a social group for younger students on the spectrum at their high school.

Social Clubs

Have a small group of students create a social club designed around the individual on the spectrum's unique affinity, special interests or skills. Suggestions include:
Thomas the Tank Engine club
Video, DVD or CD club
Art Club
Lego Club
Chess Club
Puzzle Club

These clubs meet twice a week for 20 - 30 minutesat lunch time. Have the gorup come up with ideas on how to include all of their friends with different kinds of minds (learned through the Friend 2 Friend peer mentor program)

Classroom or School Tailored Friendship Tips

Support students in creating a classroom where everyone feels accepted and belongs. Ask the class to generate a Class Friendship Tips list. To encourage participation , put the students into smaller groups to brainstorm ideas, and then vote on which idea to include on your Class Friendhsip Tips list. Once the list is completed, have the students work cooperatively to create a poster for the classroom or entire school.

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Excellent books:

Navigating the Social World by Jeanette McAfee

The Social Skills Picture Book by Jed Baker, Ph.d

Social Skills Training by Jed Baker Ph.d

Social Skills Picture Book for High School and Beyond by Jed Baker Ph.d

You're Going to Love this Kid by Dr. Paula Kluth

Taking Care of Myself by Mary Wrobel

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Publishing companies:

Future Horizon's Bookstore
Link to learn more

AAPC - Autism Asperger Publishing Company
Link to learn more

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Sporrts AND Activities

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Knoxville Challenger Sports Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Bowling for kids with Disabilities ages 6-22yrs
Link to Challenger Sports

TOPSoccer
Cost:FREE! TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community based soccer program designed to meet the needs of children aged 4-19 years with physical and/or mental disabilities. TOPSoccer helps improve overall fitness, self-esteem and social skills.
For more information or to pre-register: TOPSoccer@kfccrush.com

Sunshine Ambassadors
Enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through dance!
If you are interested in a class, please call Lurley Noe at 865-219-8697 or 865-384-6156, or you may use e-mail: lurley@bellsouth.net.



TAGS:
Autism, knoxville, social skills, teacher, autism service