My class uses two programs or curricula to teach social skills:
Teachtown
TeachTown: Basics Classroom
Basics combines computer lessons with offline activities for students who are developmentally 2 to 7 years old. Our automatic data tracking and reporting system allows teachers more time for individual attention with their students and allows them to address early learning standards and IEP goals. Teachers love that it is research-based and kids are highly motivated because it’s fun.
TeachTown: Social Skills Classroom
Our animated video modeling-based social skills curriculum features engaging animated characters to teach real world social skills. Accompanying each target social skill (theme) is a two to three minute animated episode that focuses on that target social skill, which is then further developed through a series of lesson plans including methods for differentiating instruction, generalization activities, and homework assignments.
TeachTown: Basics Home
Our at home Basics program combines computer lessons with offline activities for children with autism and special needs who are developmentally 2 to 7 years old. Addressing language learning, communication skills and emotional development, parents love their child’s improved behavior after spending time with TeachTown: Basics.
Social Express
We Teach People How to Make Friends!
The Social Express™ is engaging, educational software for children and young adults with social learning challenges. The software is designed to teach users how to think about and manage social situations, helping them to develop meaningful social relationships and succeed in life.
The Social Express is based on best practices and programs that feature cognitive behavioral techniques and visual strategies including Social Stories (Gray, 2002), Comic Strip Conversations (Gray ,1994), the Alert Program(r) (Williams & Shellenberger, 1996), The Incredible 5 Point Scale (Buron & Curtis, 2003), and The Hidden Curriculum (Myles, Trautman and Schelvan, 2004). The activities presented in the software adhere to the ELA (English, Language, Arts) Common Core Standards.
Some of the core concepts presented are based on the work of Michelle Garcia Winner and her Social Thinking® curriculum. More information can be found on the Social Thinking® website, www.socialthinking.com. Users are encouraged to learn more about Michelle’s work to gain the full benefit from the program.