EPIC Saturdays (Ideal for ages 9-13 with High Functioning Autism)

This informal program is designed for children and teenagers who struggle with the nuances of social interaction. We are all social learners and could benefit from explicit instruction and guided practice socializing with others. However, this program is designed for but not limited to children and teenagers ages 9-to-13 with High Functioning Autism, Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and/or Auditory Processing Disorder. Participants do not have to have a formal diagnosis to attend the program.

EXPLORE YOUR COMMUNITY

What better way to learn and refine social skills than in the actual real world? Participants will discuss and brainstorm areas for places in the community they would like to explore and then arrangements will be made to visit those places during upcoming Saturday sessions. While out exploring their community, participants will receive support and guidance in the areas of social interaction and will learn how social expectations vary depending on context.

PLAY GAMES WITH FRIENDS

Whenever kids get together in groups and play games, social skills are inevitable. Participants will have a wide variety of game options to choose from that will provide many opportunities to practice interacting socially, with the support and guidance of a speech therapist who specializes in social skills.

INTERACT WITH OTHERS

The unstructured nature of E.P.I.C. Saturdays will provide many meaningful teachable moments for participants to learn how their words and actions come across to others. Participants will have social expectations explicitly taught through structured activities where they will learn how to be more of an observant social thinker who considers both context and non-verbal language to understand different social situations.

CREATE AND LEARN

Incorporating the arts and creativity in learning helps take away the awkwardness of social skills instruction, increases engagement and deepens the understanding of concepts being taught. Participants will choose from a variety of art projects to complete as a way to demonstrate what they’ve learned visually or through other art forms. Examples of art projects include painting, collaging, song writing (with use of Garage Band computer software), or movie making (with use of iMovie computer software).

This program includes explicit instruction and support in the areas of:

• Perspective taking and theory of mind
• Metacognition and self-reflection
• Social cognition focusing on the important of context in relation to expectations
• Non-verbal language and tone of voice
• Self-regulation and use of self-talk
• This program incorporates ideas from Social Thinking®, a teaching methodology created by Michelle Garcia Winner (www.socialthinking.com)

Call: 828 670 8056

EPIC Saturdays — $60 / Two Hour Session

Location: Asheville Clinic, 9 W Summit Avenue, South Asheville