Supporting Students With ASD

Agenda

• •Introductions •What is ASD (underlying characteristics) •What is Social Thinking®(ST®)? •ST®and Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder •Three Components of ST® 1. Social Behaviour Mapping 2. Size of the Problem 3. Triggers •Impact of ST®‘Lagging Skills’ •Generalization of Skills •Resources •What’s next?

What is Social Thinking?

ASD (DSM 5 criteria)

• Currently, or by history, must meet criteria A, B, C, and D A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following: 1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity 2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction 3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships

DSM 5 (cont'd)

• B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following: 1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects 2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change 3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus 4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment;

DSM 5 (cont'd)

• C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.

The autism Iceburg

What is Social Thinking?

• Neurotypical(NT) –intuitive process that allows one to consider the points of view, emotions and intentions of others
• Social Thinking 'road map' is present at birth -innate

What is Social Thinking?

• ASD –do not learn intuitively; their ‘Social Thinking road map’-takes them ‘off course,’ or the wrong direction

Why don’t students with ASD develop Social Thinking skills?



•Joint attention

•Social referencing

•Generative language

Visual Facial Gaze: Typical Individuals

Visual Facial Gaze: Autistic Individuals

Three Components of Social Thinking:

• Theory of Mind
• Executive Functionin