From "Kid-tastrophe" to Cooperation:
Helping Kids with ASD Adjust to Daily Life Changes
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Carol Gray |
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| Date: | Friday, October 1, 2010 | ||
| Time: | 9:00 am to 4:30 pm | ||
| Location: | Metro-Central YMCA 20 Grosvenor Street, Toronto (Click here for directions.) |
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| Fee: | $165 up to September 9 $175 after September 9 (Please see Fees page for multiple-registration discounts.) |
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People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may have unique and/or intense emotional/behavioural reactions to setbacks — setbacks that may be frequently viewed as relatively minor or inconsequential. In these instances, parents or professionals may feel that they have unknowingly made a wrong turn into “the lion’s den” of autism with no way out. Children with ASD can really benefit from systematic and comprehensive support in learning how to handle the unanticipated twists and turns that are a part of each day (loss of a favourite item, a change in routine, etc.) as well as greater setbacks (illness or death of a friend or special person, loss of a friendship, losses suffered due to being bullied).
Using lecture, case examples, and activities, this presentation explores the lion’s den of ASD from early childhood through adolescence. You will learn with five guidelines and several strategies to teach a child with ASD more effective responses to the unexpected elements of life. Sample Social Stories™ addressing different types of loss will be shared, including detailed discussion of selecting topic emphasis, suitable format and illustration, and vocabulary.
This workshop is designed for parents and professionals working with children with ASD, with applicability to adolescents and adults with ASD.
You will learn —
- Practical strategies to help children/adolescents with ASD deal with daily struggles and disappointments
- How to identify life’s losses and view them as learning opportunities
- Why this mindset that transforms loss into learning is important when you work with children/adolescents with ASD
- 5 guidelines that parents and professionals can use to guide the responses to a child’s intense response to a setback or unexpected event
- 3 strategies/activities that will support learning from all of life’s losses
Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has completed over 22 years of employment with Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan, initially as a teacher with students with ASD and in recent years as a consultant to students with ASD in inclusive educational programs. In 1991, Carol developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations strategies that are used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with ASD. She has published several resources on topics related to children and adults with ASD, including articles on bullying, death and dying, and how to teach social understanding. She is the recipient of the Barbara Lipinski Award for her international contribution to the education and welfare of people with ASD.