Why Didn't They Just Say That?: Teaching secondary students with high-functioning autism to decode the social world using PEERSPECTIVE - Softcover

Schmidt M.Ed., Jennifer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1942197349 ISBN 13: 9781942197348

Publisher: Future Horizons, 2017

Synopsis

"Let's create a class instead of the typical social skills programs!" With this statement began the development of this innovative evidence-based curriculum for secondary students with ASD and their neurotypical (NT) peers. PEERspective is a complete curriculum that teaches high school students self-awareness, self-acceptance, relationship building, conflict resolution, managing stress and wellness, and many other topics that have lifelong impact on students' lives. The curriculum is popular among students with ASD as well as their NT peers, leading to friendships and relationships far beyond the classroom.

About this title

About the Author

Mrs. Jennifer M. Schmidt, M.Ed., is an Intervention Specialist (Special Educator) at Beavercreek High School in Beavercreek, Ohio. Jennifer has 25 years of teaching experience in both general and special education settings. She began working closely with students with autism while teaching in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and was trained in the TEACCH method. At BHS, Jennifer and her now retired Speech & Language Pathologist colleague piloted their Communication Class in the fall of 2007, and the class continues to this day and utilizes the PEERspective Learning Approach; since then, neighboring school districts have adopted the same model with similar success. 

Mrs. Schmidt is a passionate educator who enjoys presenting at local, state, and international conferences about Communication Class, autism, and training general education teachers to work with students with autism (mild-moderate). She was recognized as Beavercreek City Schools Teacher of the Year in 2012, and in 2014 was awarded the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year recognition as a result of her innovative Communication Class. Mrs. Schmidt stays active teaching at workshops, through her role as a lead teacher on the Autism Coalition Team, at Beavercreek High School, and at local colleges. She is passionate about helping other schools find success in teaching pragmatic language to students on the spectrum through Communication Class.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

For far too long, we have looked at exceptionalities, such as autism, as a problem to be solved. When Joseph proudly announced that he was beginning to see his autism as a gift, I knew that the paradigm had shifted. Do people on the spectrum have to overcome challenges to find success in life? Sure, but don’t we all? It’s time we start shifting our thinking towards a new approach to intentionally teach these skills, and PEERspective allows us to do that.

Edition details

• Publisher: Future Horizons
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1942197349
• ISBN 13: 9781942197348
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168