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The
Social Times Curriculum | Reviews
Learners on the Autism Spectrum - Second Edition
Review
Autism Society of America Book
Reviews
More on The Incredible 5-Point
Scale | More on When My
Worries Get Too Big!
Reviews and More on A 5
is Against the Law! | How
to Use A 5 Could Make Me Lose Control
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The
Social Times Curriculum
Set includes:
3 Student Books
1 Teacher Book
1 Curriculum Guide
USB drive with downloadable materials
Using a magazine format in full color and
standard columns within each chapter, The Social Times
Curriculum is written directly to students in an engaging
"voice," aimed at teaching social cognition
and emotional regulation in an enjoyable way that increases
students' motivation and encourages peer interaction.
The Social Times Curriculum set consists of three copies
of The Social Times Student Book, one copy of The Social
Times Teacher Book, The Social Times Curriculum Guide,
and a USB drive with downloadable materials. The Social
Times Student Book is also available separately to supplement
larger classes.
In each chapter, the main topic focuses
on an area of social cognition that individuals across
the autism spectrum, or with related social needs, might
find confusing. All of the topics offer critical information
for how to use social learning with peers and in the community,
while making each lesson entertaining and applicable to
today's students. The accompanying USB materials include
word searches, crossword puzzles, quizzes, hand-outs,
scales, and additional activities.
Within The Social Times Teacher Book, educators
will find expansion topics, ideas for take-home work,
benchmarks for the various topics, and tips for sensory
activities and additional practice. While the curriculum
is targeted toward students ages 8 through 13, The Social
Times Teacher Book suggests ways to expand the topics
for older students.
The Social Times Curriculum Guide explains
the research and emerging neuroscience used in creating
the curriculum, as well as how to use each section of
the curriculum. By providing information about evidence-based
practices and 21st Century Skills, The Social Times Curriculum
Guide assists teachers in achieving the social and emotional
goals of students with autism spectrum disorders.
Reviews
"Kari Dunn Buron brings her considerable
knowledge and expertise to bear on her most ambitious
project to date, and the result is nothing short of dazzling!
The Social Times Curriculum is comprehensive in scope,
wide-ranging in its application across grade levels, and
intelligently formatted to make maximal use of the predictability
and repetition so essential to students who struggle with
social understanding and expression. This must-have resource
features an ingenious and multifaceted application of
Ms. Buron's fabulous 5-Point Scale, as well as superb
teaching tips designed to engage students and maximize
social learning. Teachers and SLPs will love this gem,
and if truth be told, so will parents!"
-Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP,
author of How to be a Para Pro and The IEP from A to Z:
How to Create Meaningful and Measurable Goals and Objectives
"The Social Times Curriculum provides
special education teachers, speech-language pathologists,
therapists, and social workers a complete package for
the planning and implementation of social/emotional interventions
aligned with Evidence-Based Practice guidelines. The versatility
of this curriculum offers differentiation for intervention
for individual students, small groups, and can be conducive
for social/emotional learning at a school-wide level.
Teachers can effortlessly plan a year's worth of social/emotional
topics with this single resource. Each chapter topic can
serve the "anchor" for the weekly learning targets
and the "Try It" suggestions as well as the
"Teaching Tip" guidelines are designed to engage
students in a variety of learning modalities. The Social
Times provides an opportunity to directly teach social/emotional
skills through a literacy lens. The magazine format offers
a platform for students to use reading, speaking/listening
and written language skills to also improve peer interaction,
social engagement, self-regulation and executive function
skills." -Jill D. Kuzma, M.A., CCC-SLP, speech-language
pathologist
"The original Social Times magazine
was my favorite resource for teachers and parents to share
with their middle and high school teenagers. Kari Dunn
Buron has now compiled the best 25 issues into a single
curriculum that addresses these critical concepts for
students who struggle with social and emotional understanding.
The Social Times Curriculum, which is fun and easy to
use, contains short stories, cartoons, crossword puzzles
and tips that helps students learn about relationships,
emotions and themselves. All materials are included! No
specialized training required! It is wonderful."
-Kathleen Ann Quill, Ed.D., BCBA-D Autism Institute, Essex,
Massachusetts Author of international bestseller DO-WATCH-LISTEN-SAY:
Social and communication intervention for children with
autism. (2nd edition in press)
Learner's
on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators.
Second Edition (2014)
This Second Edition of the best selling
textbook has been updated and expanded with a focus on
perspectives of evidence based practice, as well as advancement
in the field of ASD. In an effort to provide a textbook
for educators who serve students on the autism spectrum,
this text has highlighted points of research, training
and practice that are essential to effective teaching.
This much anticipated Second Edition has added three chapters:
A discussion about Evidence Based Practice; Emotional
Regulation; and Harnessing the Power of Special Interest
Areas in the Classroom.
The first edition of this text proved to
be beneficial to a wide audience (professionals and parents)
and most importantly has been adopted for introductory
courses on ASD by teacher preparation and related professional
programs at universities and other institutions of higher
education.
Based on the premise that successful teaching
is rooted in understanding and experience, the revised
volume responds to the critical need to prepare teachers
with foundational knowledge and practical skills for educating
diverse learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Specifically, this volume brings together leading experts
from the field of ASD (i.e., researchers, educators and
related professionals, parents and individuals with ASD)
to provide an up-to-date textbook that translates state-of-the-art
theory and research into effective and meaningful practice.
The text covers a range of topics and themes while offering
a cross-disciplinary perspective drawing from child development/psychology,
speech, language and communication, occupational therapy,
socio-cultural anthropology, medical/biological as well
as education.
Table of Contents
About the Editors
Contributors
Chapter Reviewers
Foreword
Carol Gray
Acknowledgments
Overview of Textbook Features
Chapter 1:
From Autism Theory to Evidence-Based Practice: Tenets
of Competent, Humanistic, and Meaningful Support
Pamela Wolfberg and Kari Dunn Buron
Chapter 2:
An Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Tony Attwood
Chapter 3:
Brain-Behavior Connections in Autism
Nancy J. Minshew and Diane L. Williams
Chapter 4:
Getting a Good Start: Effective Practices in Early Intervention
Ilene S. Schwartz and Bonnie J. McBride
Chapter 5:
Symbolic Communication: Common Pathways and Points of
Departure
Diane Twachtman-Cullen
Chapter 6:
Sensory Processing: Identifying Patterns and Support Strategies
Winnie Dunn
Chapter 7:
Teaching a Different Way of Behaving: Positive Behavior
Supports
Cathy Pratt
Chapter 8:
Fostering Play, Imagination, and Friendships With Peers:
Creating a Culture of Social Inclusion
Pamela Wolfberg, Heather McCracken, and Tara Tuchel
Chapter 9:
Social Thinking: Cognition to Enhance Communication and
Learning
Michelle Garcia Winner
Chapter 10:
Emotional Regulation
Kari Dunn Buron and Brenda Smith Myles
Chapter 11:
TEACCH: Structured Teaching and Environmental Supports
Victoria Shea and Gary B. Mesibov
Chapter 12:
Harnessing the Power of Special Interest Areas in the
Classroom
Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
Chapter 13:
Systemizing Emotions: Using Interactive Multimedia as
a Teaching Tool
Ofer Golan and Simon Baron-Cohen
Chapter 14:
Supporting the Transition Years
Brenda Smith Myles, Sheila Smith, and Terri Cooper Swanson
Chapter 15:
The Education Team: Positive, Effective Interdisciplinary
Collaboration
Paula Jacobsen
Chapter 16:
Growing up With Autism: One Parent's Perspective
Julie Donnelly
Chapter 17:
Educational Experiences Across the Lifespan: A Personal
Perspective
Stephen Shore
Index
Appendix A: Chapter Review Answers
Appendix B: Glossary
"Adalyn's Clare" is a sweet
book with a message for children who struggle with anxiety:
Fear is big. Fear is real. But it is not everything.
And it is not everything you are. I read this book alongside
my six-year-old Asperkid (and animal lover). He thoroughly
adored hearing perspectives contributed by animals,
and the respect the author showed the title character,
Adalyn, a girl whose anxiety and social challenges often
overwhelm her. The notable lack of condescention was
headtily appreciated. For example, my favorite elements
included the humility of a teacher who, first critical
of the child, eventually recognizes in her his very
own social challenges. This is something I've actually
witnessed in real life, and which I will never forget.
Best of all is the proactive mission of Clare, the service
dog, who sets out to find Adalyn "a pack"
of disconnected kids she can befriend. This important
directive is one I hope humans will adopt. Charming,
endearing and (ironically?) humanizing, Adalyn's Clare
is a story I have already shared and certainly will
again.
Jennifer O'Toole
Temple Grandin Award Winner
CEO, Asperkids LLC
Author, "Asperkids: An Insider's Guide to Loving,
Understanding, and Teaching Children with Asperger Syndrome"
and the Asperkids series
Autism
Society of America Book Reviews:
 |
The
Incredible 5-Point Scale: The Significantly Improved
and Expanded Second Edition; Assisting students in
understanding social interactions and controlling
their emotional responses
NOW AVAILABLE!
Ordering
Information
|
|
When
My Worries Gets Too Big
Ordering
Information
|
The Incredible 5-Point Scale
outlines a remarkable strategy geared toward higher-functioning
children in a variety of situations. Buron and Curtis
were struck with the idea to write the book while working
with a five year old boy with Asperger's Disorder who,
when speaking, always used a loud voice. Together, they
taught him to equate his voice with a number scale. Over
time, he learned that his loudest voice was a "5",
being quiet was a "1" and that using a "2
or 3" level voice was most appropriate.
The 1-5 scale system is applicable for a
variety of behaviors and responses to behaviors, including
feelings of anxiety, obsessions, concepts of personal
space and feelings of anger. The book includes stories
suitable to be read to a child, visual scales and tips
on how to implement the particular scale. I found the
book to be a very comprehensive teaching tool.
When My Worries Get Too Big
is the companion book that also uses a 1-5 scale system.
It is written from the perspective of a child to explain
that, when he is calm and happy, his autism is a "1",
but when overwhelmed or upset, his autism "gets too
big" and is a "5". Throughout the book,
there are blank spaces for the child to draw. It is a
wonderful tool that features a simple-to-use strategy
that can help children with autism spectrum disorders
successfully understand and cope with their own behavioral
challenges in a positive, supportive fashion.
More
on The Incredible 5-Point Scale:
I use this every day!, August 13,
2005
Reviewer: Tara
Tuchel (Hudson, WI USA) - See
all my reviews
This book is fantastic! The authors share
their incredible insight into how to help children on
the autism spectrum communicate using numbers instead
of words. The information in the book is practical and
easy to use. I use 5 point scales in my classroom evey
single day to teach volume and body control. My students
are learning self-regulation! Many thanks to the authors
for sharing their discovery!
Five Stars for Five Point Scale,
July 23, 2005
Reviewer: Kristi
A. Sakai (Oregon) - See
all my reviews
The concept in this book is one of those
that makes you say, "Well YEAH, DUH." Because
it's so simple and workable you wished you'd thought of
it yourself! The basic premise is any behavior goal you
want to work on with a child can be addressed in a five
point scale. I'll give my son as an example. He yells
like a maniac...when he's just talking in his normal voice.
This drives me CRAZY. So, his scale is 5: I'm being kidnapped,
or I'm just having a really, really, really good time
on the playground OUTSIDE. 4. Loud play, but not ear piercing.
3. NORMAL INSIDE VOICE (my favorite) 2. Shhhh, whisper
and 1. SILENCE (okay, I fibbed, many times THIS is my
favorite.) It can also be used for expressing how the
CHILD is FEELING. Anxiety levels, fear levels. The idea
is that you can address many different issues whether
at home or school, it gives clear examples, reproducable
sheets and it's an easy concept for teachers, parents
and kids to understand. I also love the companion book
"When My Autism Gets Too Big", which I highly
recommend for kids (and for the adults who care about
them.) Incidentally, while the examples in the book are
color coded and they are ingeneious ways to implement
them in the school and classroom--as a parent I think
that there's a reason gave me FIVE FINGERS! The Incredible
Five Point Scale of course!! When I hold up three fingers,
my son's voice automatically lowers because it's his signal
to go DOWN on the scale.
More
on When My Worries Get Too Big!
Excellent For Everyone!, August 5,
2005
Reviewer: Bobbie
A. Freeman "Aunt Bobbie" (PA) - See
all my reviews
This book is really great to share not only
with my spectrum kids but with siblings as well. I bought
this book to use with my nephew with high functioning
autism. I also use this book with the many other children
I work with as a Behavior Consultant. This book is a useful
tool to utilize to assist with those "moments"
we experience with our kids. MUST BUY!!!
Aunt Bobbie
Awesome book, June 16, 2005
Reviewer: M.
Sloan (Fargo, ND USA) - See
all my reviews
My 8 year old son with pdd-nos has claimed
this book as his own. We had to read it three times the
night it arrived. I wish we'd had this book years ago!
This book teaches calming techniques in
the form of a social story, written from the first person.
"Now my autism is at a level 5, and it's time to
fight back!" so it's easier for my child to incorporate.
My son was practicing calming last night, something he's
NEVER attempted before.
If you have a child (especially autistic)
under age 10 who tends to have violent tantrums, you need
this book. Be sure you get one for each autistic kid,
as there are activities at the end for the child to describe
how they feel at each level.
Speaks to ASD Children in a Way They
Can Understand, May 21, 2005
Reviewer: Kristi
A. Sakai (Oregon) - See
all my reviews
I am the mother of three children with autism
spectrum disorder. I first read this book about a year
ago, along with its companion The Incredible Five Point
Scale. Initially my intent was merely to use it with my
then four year old child with ASD and she did respond
remarkably to it. But I was further surprised to discover
my older children then aged 9 and 12 were drawn to it
too. They asked ME to go over it with them. On their own
they individually said to me, "I need a scale for..."
For the older son he said, "Mama, you're always telling
me to be quiet (he has a BOOMING VOICE even when whispering),
maybe I need to learn how to use a lower number for my
voice." When My Autism Gets Too Big shows insight
into the asd child's world--what he can feel good about
and what is hard for him. It doesn't whitewash the difficulties,
or downplay them,but at the same time it doesn't make
them seem insurmountable. Then it lays out in a very easy
to understand way--for example, the levels of stress a
child has, what it might look like, how it feels for him,
and what to do about it. It gives a clear concise way
to not only judge where the child is at--for himself and
for his caregivers,but a tool to figure out where to go
next. It can be used is such a broad variety of ways,
you can use it to address any behavior goal you have with
your child. My child with the loud voice, for example:
Five is screaming like he's dying (emergency voice), Four
is yelling while playing outside, Three is a "normal"
speaking voice, Two is whispering and One is completely
quiet--no words. Reading this book with my children was
the catalyst for making it okay to develop this type of
program for each of them for their very different needs,
and it has been incredibly effective. Plus,Kari Dunn Buron's
illustrations are so gosh darn cute, but more than that
they are remarkably expressive. It amazes me that she
is able to convey such clear emotions, while at the same
time having an almost affectionate humor about the reality
of life with an ASD child. The pictures alone, program
aside, are worth the purchase of this book. Once read
I have donated nearly every book on ASD I have ever purchased
to our local therapy center...but I can't part with this
one. It is already well worn and much loved. I have pulled
it off the shelf many times when one of my kids has a
recognizable expression of distress and when I point to
the corresponding picture, they often react with relief.
I can show them without having to verbally express it,
where they are at, and they are glad to be able to see
it for themselves. An excellent tool. I also highly recommend
buying The Incredible Five Point Scale, which elaborates
on this concept and gives many more ideas on how to implement
them. Both are excellent for use in both school and home.
Incidentally--often ASD parents have their hands full
enough without having to manage more visual aides, my
philosophy is that's why God must have given us FIVE fingers,
so we can use them to show our kid where they are on the
Five Point Scale. My digits are regularly used for this
purpose.
An
excerpt from: A 5 is Against
the Law!
One of the interesting and sometimes confusing
things about social behavior is that when you are young,
you might do something that people consider a #2 behavior
- that is, something that is perfectly acceptable. But,
then when you are a little older, that same behavior turns
into a #3 - a little odd.
One example of this is a friend of mine
(we'll call him Fred), who likes hair. He loves the way
it feels and the way it smells. When Fred was in elementary
school, he used to touch other students' hair. Sometimes,
if he was behind someone waiting in line to go to recess
or to get a drink of water, he would lean his head towards
the person and smell his or her hair. People thought this
was a little weird, but nobody was really afraid of him.
Fred was just a little boy, so everyone thought the behavior
was just a #3 (a little odd).
When Fred started middle school, he still
liked to smell hair, so he would look for opportunities
to get as close as possible to someone else's hair. One
day, he put his face really close to a girl's hair, and
she screamed! Not only that, she told the principal and
her parents that Fred was harassing her by scaring her.
The principal agreed that Fred's behavior, once considered
a #3, had now become a #4 - truly scary and possibly against
the law.
How Can I Use This Book?
This is a workbook designed to be used
in Social Skills groups or counseling sessions. The book
is written in the "voice" of a logical, black
and white thinker. Information about personal boundaries
and relationships is delivered through easy to read scenarios,
a 5-point scale to better understand the concepts involved,
and an activity to do in the group or with a support person.
Glowing Comments
about A 5 is Against the Law!
