The Keys to Successful Social Skills Development Programs
Brief Biography
Marian Joiner, MS, CRC, NCC
Director, The Model Classroom, and Autism Skills For Life
Marian is the founder of Skills for Life and the director of The Model Classroom, a not for profit intervention program for individuals with autism, operating since 1986.
She has over 35 years of professional experience as an educator, advocate, and consultant working to improve access to education and community participation for individuals with autism and their families.
Today Marian specializes in social skills development programs presented in inclusive small group learning sessions to support the growth of greater independence and community participation.
Autism-Skills For Life has seven chapters across the state of Georgia
Highest Degree of Presenter(s)
Marian Joiner, MS, CRC, NCC
Meredith Sinclair, BA
Presentation Abstract
There is a growing awareness of the absence of supports currently in place to help meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities who are transitioning from adolescence into adulthood in their communities. This is crucially important time for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), who experience disability based roadblocks that limit their successful access to typical life enriching opportunities. Peer mentors are valuable assets to teach and model positive social behaviors and skills. The Autism- Skills for Life program works to improve the lives of individuals affected by autism through social education that enhances successful participation in vocational, community, and family life. Within a committed and stable group of high status peer mentor volunteers, members learn and practice social skills throughout their community and learn to generalize taught skills. The other core issues that will be focused on include anxiety reduction strategies that present a special challenge for individuals with ASD and strategies to teach self-monitoring and self-modulating rather than rote social skills.
Recommended Citation
Joiner, Marian and Sinclair, Meredith, "The Keys to Successful Social Skills Development Programs" (2014). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 14.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2014/2014/14
The Keys to Successful Social Skills Development Programs
Student Center-Sinclair
There is a growing awareness of the absence of supports currently in place to help meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities who are transitioning from adolescence into adulthood in their communities. This is crucially important time for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), who experience disability based roadblocks that limit their successful access to typical life enriching opportunities. Peer mentors are valuable assets to teach and model positive social behaviors and skills. The Autism- Skills for Life program works to improve the lives of individuals affected by autism through social education that enhances successful participation in vocational, community, and family life. Within a committed and stable group of high status peer mentor volunteers, members learn and practice social skills throughout their community and learn to generalize taught skills. The other core issues that will be focused on include anxiety reduction strategies that present a special challenge for individuals with ASD and strategies to teach self-monitoring and self-modulating rather than rote social skills.
