Social Fortune or Social Fate
Social Fortune or Social Fate: A Social Thinking Graphic Novel Map for Social Quest Seekers is a creatively written resource that would appeal to teenagers on the autism spectrum. The authors make use of the graphic novel form to translate a complex social concept (perspective taking) into concrete strategies for socially competent behaviour through the use of social behaviour mapping.
The novel presents 10 social scenarios using anime style cartoon strips, 3 characters, maps, hidden letters and emotion meters to illustrate the consequences of good or unexpected choices for the characters in the novel. The novel provides an opportunity for students to actively engage in social thinking, discover the consequences of their choices - either Fortune (good choice) or Fate (unexpected choice) - and why they matter.
This book would be suitable for a student to read on his/her own or discuss with a group. It could also be a conversation starter for a discussion about some of the student’s own life choices.
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Social Thinking Worksheets for Tweens and Teens
This book is an excellent resource to be used in conjunction with some of Michelle’s previously published resources Thinking About You, Thinking About Me and Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum for School–age Students.
This resource provides a series of thought provoking activities for students who experience difficulty with social communication. Most students on the autism spectrum require additional support and coaching to figure out the rules of social behaviour. These series of work sheet activities covers a variety of complex topics pertinent to teenagers such as problem solving, dealing with emotions, friendship, and group participation. It provides concrete examples to assist the student in better understanding these concepts as well as strategies the student can use to become more socially competent.
The lessons in Social Thinking Worksheets for Tweens and Teens are suitable to be used by SLPs, teachers and parents in helping students make sense of the social sphere of teenage hood
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The Autism Checklist
The Autism Checklist provides practical information for families or educators to assist in understanding and supporting children with Autism and Asperger’s syndrome in home and school settings.
The book is divided into several sections. The first chapter provides general information about Autism and Asperger’s syndrome including differences in development associated with Autism and strategies to address the identified differences as well as helpful resources such as other books and websites. The Parents' Checklists section provides information about considerations that may be required in the family setting such as safety issues. The Teachers' Checklists provide specific information and strategies for setting up a supportive classroom community and teaching strategies to support students on the Autism spectrum.
Each Checklist section has several pages of pertinent information on each topic presented in point form which makes this book an easy read for busy parents and teachers. The index provides an opportunity to quickly find the topics of interest for parents or educators.
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Just Give Him the Whale! 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism
Students with autism often have interests or obsessions in a variety of topics such as trains, bugs, movies, dinosaurs or whales. Frequently these interests are seen as interfering with learning and are discouraged. This book provides insight into positive ways that school staff and families can utilize these “fascinations” and students’ strengths as tools to enhance their skills in a variety of important developmental areas. Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz suggest that these fascinations can assist students in developing academic skills such as literacy or math skills, developing communication and social skills, and relaxation skills.
Each of the twenty chapters provides practical strategies as to how to incorporate the student’s strengths, interests and fascinations to enhance a specific area of development. First hand accounts from persons with autism, teachers and parents provide descriptions of a variety of “fascinations” and interests, their affects on the individual or strategies used to address them. The two appendices provide a question and answer section to clarify the points presented in the book as well as additional autism resources.
“Just Give Him the Whale” 20 Ways to use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism provides valuable insight and practical strategies for addressing an often misunderstood area of autism.
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Smart But Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential
This is a practical and informative resource for any parent or teacher who wants to learn more about executive skills.
This book contains a wealth of information on what executive skills are, how they typically develop, and how the environment can contribute to their development. This resource will also help parents and teachers come up with strategies to address a specific problem task or executive skill. Each executive skill is individually described and brief rating scales are included to determine where a child is at in terms of skill development.
Overall, a very user friendly resource.
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During the summer months, our monthly book reviews will be repeats from the school year. Our monthly reviews will return in September.
![Image of Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517y-ebNphL._SL75_.jpg "Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential")
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