Allison Adams

Social Skills are typically taught to students with ASD during lunchtime and after school groups, but the team at VIctoria's Oak Bay High wanted to go farther, and developed Social Dynamics 11, a credit course in School District #61 in Victoria, BC.

This course is unique not just because of its curriculum, but because of the synergy and strengths of its team. Allison Adams, POPARD Education and Behaviour Consultant, talks with team members Dr. Melanie Houston, Denise Chow, and Jennifer Ferris.

Students from Social Dynamics 11 add their comments at the end of this video.

Allison Adams is a POPARD Education and Behaviour Consultant. Allison met with former Oak Bay student, Gen Chandler, Professor Kathleen Schmalz (University of Western Ontario) and Professor Robert Dalton (University of Victoria).

Allison Adams (POPARD Education & Behaviour Consultant) describes the purpose for, and steps involved in, completing Michelle Winner’s Double Interview Task as part of a social skills assessment. Video clips demonstrate parts of the interview process and the use of the Double Interview Assessment Checklist.

Allison Adams (POPARD Education and Bahaviour Consultant) interviews Fran Campbell, a speech/language pathologist with experience in working with children with an autism spectrum disorder. Fran is also an Education and Bahaviour Consultant with POPARD.

Within this interview they discuss some factors to consider when deciding to implement an augmentative communication strategy for a child with an ASD and also identify some low tech and high tech solutions that Fran has seen implemented. The module would be of interest to those who work with children who have limited or no verbal skills.

Allison Adams (POPARD Education and Bahaviour Consultant) interviews Emma Smyth (POPARD Education and Bahaviour Consultant) regarding the relationship between play and language. Language acquisition develops through play. In understanding the importance of play and basic strategies to enhance communication, we can support children with an autism spectrum disorder in their development of language, play skills and in turn social skills.

Allison Adams (POPARD Education and Behaviour Consultant) briefly explains what possible reasons a child with an autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty changing from one activity to another or making a "transition". She demonstrates how to prepare a child for a transition by using a variety of different visual tools.

Allison Adams (POPARD Education and Behaviour Consultant) addresses a few frequently asked questions from educators. She also gives an introduction to understanding some students' behaviour and what kind of issues may arise in the future.