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FAQ
Program's Audience
Program's Design
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What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), which usually begin during early
childhood and last throughout a person's life, are a group of
developmental disabilities that are caused by unusual brain
development. ASDs include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental
Disorder, and Asperger Disorder. These three conditions share
symptoms but differ in terms of when the symptoms start, how fast
they appear, how severe they are, and their exact nature. People
with ASDs tend to have problems with social and communication
skills, and have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, or
reacting to different sensations.
What is the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders?
The US National Institute of Health estimates that one American
child in 250 is affected with an ASD, compared with one in 10,000 a
decade ago. As many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to
have some form of autism. The overall incidence is consistent around
the globe, but is four times more prevalent in boys than girls.
What is social skills training and why is it a priority?
Unlike their peers, children with ASDs do not acquire basic social
skills, such as sharing enjoyment and maintaining eye contact,
through general experience and observation. This social inadequacy
often results in anxiety, depression, social avoidance, academic
difficulties, and problematic peer interactions. Social skills
training uses problem-solving techniques to actively teach children
the skills they need to be successful and cope with challenging
situations in the social environment. Research has demonstrated that
social skills training is one of the most effective treatments for
children with ASDs and helps them to succeed in their personal and
academic lives.
How does one decide if a child needs social skills training?
Formal standardized tests can determine basic levels of social
skills functioning, but it is also important to interview the
child's caregiver and observe him interacting with his environment.
Teachers can also play an important role by watching the child
during unstructured activities such as recess, and by using support
staff to make note of breakdown times.
What is Social Skill Builder social skills training software?
Unlike their peers, children with ASDs do not acquire basic social
skills, such as sharing enjoyment and maintaining eye contact,
through general experience and observation. This social inadequacy
often results in anxiety, depression, social avoidance, academic
difficulties, and problematic peer interactions. Social skills
training uses problem-solving techniques to actively teach children
the skills they need to be successful and cope with challenging
situations in the social environment. Research has demonstrated that
social skills training is one of the most effective treatments for
children with ASDs and helps them to succeed in their personal and
academic lives.
Who created Social Skill Builder software?
The Social Skill Builder software products were developed by
practicing speech pathologists and sisters, both having ten years of
experience improving children's pragmatic skills in various
environments, based on the unique needs of their ASD clients.
How does the software work?
Social Skill Builder software products are designed to facilitate
learning while providing opportunities to pause and discuss
information, to replay scenarios for greater recall and
understanding, and to engage in exercises that help the child carry
learned skills into everyday life. Each program highlights video
scenarios of real children interacting in social scenarios and then
the user has the ability to choose what should be said or done next.
Programs cater to a wide range of functioning and abilities. At
Level 1, children learn key social vocabulary. At Level 2, they
answer multiple-choice questions, and at Level 3, they identify
social cues. Level 4 allows children to create a novel social
response based on the situation.
What are the technical requirements for Social Skill Builder
software?
Social Skill Builder software products are both Macintosh (OSX or
above) and IBM PC (Windows 95 or above) compatible. They require 200
MHz or higher, 600 megabytes of available hard drive space, a 4x
CD-ROM drive, a 16 bit color monitor, 800/600 resolution or better
video card compatibility, and a mouse. The software is easy to
install and use and does not require outside instruction or
maintenance.
Who can use the Social Skill builder software?
Social Skill Builder's products are designed for speech and
occupational therapists, educators, counselors and psychologists,
and parents who interact with children and adolescents ages 3-18
affected by ASDs and other learning/language deficits.
What results can parents and practitioners expect?
Children that have used Social Skill Builder software products have
exhibited increased confidence and acceptance of transitions in
different social scenarios. Increased expressive language skills and
decreased anxiety and negative behaviors have been noted in
situations that once caused problems. After using the programs,
children have been observed interacting more with others and
displaying great understanding and empathy.
Does research demonstrate that Social Skill Builder software is
effective in teaching social skills?
A 2004 pilot study of Social Skill builder's effectiveness conducted
in the Virginia Public Schools indicated that the software
dramatically increased ASD children's socialization, daily living
skills, adaptive behavior, and communication. The results of a
national study will be released in late 2005.
How are these programs motivating for a child?
Social Skill Builder software products offer animated reinforcers
after each answered question. Products geared to school-age children
and older teens provide interactive "game reinforcements" that
appear after a series of social scenarios have been explored. Such
motivators not only allow children to remain engaged, but also
provide breaks throughout the game to keep them from becoming
overwhelmed or frustrated.
How does working on a computer encourage a child to interact with
others?
Because social interaction between people usually happens so quickly
and naturally, it is hard to teach these skills to children with
social competence difficulties. Social Skill Builder software
programs allow children to dissect social situations in a safe and
controlled environment, with the opportunity to replay scenarios for
greater understanding. Such practice provides children with greater
insight into social interactions and increases their confidence as
they try out new skills in their real-world environments.
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