Why start a social skills program?
The question is not why, but why not?
With inclusive education becoming the norm in schools nationwide, teachers often struggle to address students’ non-academic needs—but teachers need ready-to-use lessons that won’t interfere with their curriculum.
QUEST (Questioning, Understanding, and Exploring Social Skills and Pragmatic Language Together) is a social skills program created to help middle school students with ASD who struggle with pragmatic language and social skills.
Developed by a school social worker and speech language pathologist, the program uses an intensive, proactive approach to teaching social skills, combining written instruction with games, activities, and student interaction.
Six helpful units—School Survival Basics, Understanding and Managing Emotion, Communication Skills, Making Friends and Interacting with Peers, Personal Safety, Vocational Readiness—can be implemented either chronologically or on their own. Evidence-based research supports the methods used and students have a great time learning-by-doing, through role-play and real-world experience. Parents are kept in the loop with email updates and evaluations. Everyone wins with this program!
Best of all, the book includes a CD of printable worksheets, letters, forms, and more!
QUEST covers: Greetings, Paying Attention, Daily Hygiene, Asking for Help, Understanding Feelings, Getting Angry/Calming Down, Managing Stress, Starting a Conversation, Making and Keeping Friends, Gossip, Bullying, and Teasing, Resisting Peer Pressure, Dating, Internet and E-mail Safety, and many more!
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 333
JoEllen Cumpata is currently a school-based speech language pathologist. She was formerly a clinical supervisor at Michigan State University, teaching classes related to providing school-based speech and language services. JoEllen also served as a speech language pathologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Boston, working with adults and children. JoEllen has a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and she resides with her husband and two daughters.
Susan Fell is a school social worker specializing in working with students with autism and Asperger’s syndrome, and in parenting education. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University, and her School Social Work Certification from Wayne State in Detroit, Michigan. Susan is married and lives with her husband, and occasionally with her two college-age children, who are both currently studying to become educators.
Coming soon!
FAQs
About the QUEST Program
The QUEST Story
Supportive Research
Program Description
Weekly Schedule
Activities
Reinforcement
Parent Support
Parent Updates
Student Evaluation
Unit Descriptions
Sample Correspondence, Reports, and Forms
Teacher Introductory Flier
Parent Introductory Letter
Parent Introductory Flier (sample 1)
Parent Introductory Flier (sample 2)
Parent/Teacher Evaluation
Classroom Rules and Procedures
Daily Reminder Cards
Student Group Report
Pre/Post Assessment
Unit 1: School Survival Basics
Goals and Objectives
Experiential Stories, Activity Sheets, and Parent Updates
Greetings
Paying Attention
Daily Hygiene
Asking for Help
Creating a Workspace and Completing Work
Organizing Work and Using an Assignment Book
Unit Summary - Successful Student Bingo
Unit Evaluation
Unit 2: Understanding Emotions
Goals and Objectives
Experiential Stories, Activity Sheets, and Parent Updates
Understanding Feelings
Uncomfortable Feelings
Getting Angry and Calming Down
Stress Management
Negotiating with Others
Problem Solving
Unit Evaluation
Unit 3: Communication Skills
Goals and Objectives
Experiential Stories, Activity Sheets, and Parent Updates
Nonverbal Communication
Starting a Conversation
Keeping a Conversation Going
Ending a Conversation
Joining a Group Conversation
Exiting an Uncomfortable Conversation
Communication Skills Unit Review
Unit Evaluation
Unit 4: Making Friends and Interacting with Peers
Goals and Objectives
Experiential Stories, Activity Sheets, and Parent Updates
Friends are Important
Making and Keeping Friends
Making Plans with Friends
Using the Telephone
Modesty
Recognizing and Dealing with Gossip, Bullying and Teasing
Resisting Peer Pressure
Participating in an After-School Activity
Dating
Unit Evaluation
Unit 5: Personal Safety
Goals and Objectives
Experiential Stories, Activity Sheets, and Parent Updates
Being Home Alone
Using the Telephone in an Emergency
Smoke and Fire Alarm Safety
Being Separated from My Group
Internet and E-mail Safety
Driving with Friends
Drugs, Alcohol and Dangerous Behavior
Safety Contract
Unit Evaluation
Unit 6: Vocational Readiness
Goals and Objectives
Experiential Stories, Activity Sheets, and Parent Updates
My Skills and Interests
Working for Others
Creating a Flier and Applying for a Summer Job
Accepting Suggestions and Compliments from My Employer
Unit Evaluation
References
Index
