The Autism Ambassadors Handbook

Peer Support for Learning, Growth, and Success
The Autism Ambassadors Handbook
June 2013 | 232 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781483331003
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781452235257
Available from January 0001

Description

Sometimes, all a student needs to succeed is a friend.

Every day, thousands of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to stay afloat at school—sometimes bullied, often ostracized. Mastering academics can be hard enough without the added challenge of navigating social situations that neurotypical kids take for granted. If students with ASD had a peer to model and reinforce socially appropriate behavior and coach them through schoolwork, it could help them feel at home in the student population.

This inspirational new book describes how to set up just such a peer-mentoring organization in your school or community. With a clear understanding of the needs of students with ASD and the kids who will be their guides, Kukoff provides:

  • Steps for organizing and implementing your own Autism Ambassadors program
  • Clear-cut guidelines on the responsibilities of student “ambassadors,” plus peer-support strategies to improve the ambassador experience
  • More than a hundred specific interventions any student can employ with students with ASD
  • A path for students with ASD to become Autism Ambassadors themselves

Based on the methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis—the gold standard in autism intervention—but created and led by students, the Autism Ambassadors curriculum will  promote leadership and improve the school experience for all students.

“This book makes a distinct contribution by providing a different view of how to support students with autism. As the number of people with autism is increasing, creating awareness and supports across larger groups of people is important.”
—Mary Reeve, Educator
Gallup McKinley County Schools, NM

“This is an amazing idea from a young innovator! This manual is a great contribution, not only to the field of professionals, but to future providers as well.”
—Kate Boone, Case Manager
MHMRA Harris County, Houston, TX

Contents

Foreword by Gary S. Katz

Foreword by Gary S. Katz

Preface

Preface

Part I. The Program

  • 1. Autism And Society Today
  • 2. Typical Students and Autism
  • 3. The Importance of Peer Leadership: What the Research Says
  • 4. Who and What is Autism Ambassadors?
  • 5. What is an Ambassador?
  • 6. Autism Ambassadors at Your School: The Nuts and Bolts of Implementation
  • 7. Curriculum Overview

Part II. The Curriculum

  • Section 1. Younger/Lower Functioning Students
  • Pay Attention/ Calm Hands
  • Being Alone
  • Logical Sequencing
  • Passing the Baton
  • Washing Hands at School
  • Section 2. Academic/ In Class
  • Asserting Yourself in Class
  • Taking Notes
  • Giving an Oral Presentation in Class
  • Replacing Classroom Items
  • Switching Desks
  • Watching a Video in Class
  • Writing an Intro Paragraph
  • Section 3. School Related/ Out of Class
  • Writing a “Chunk” Paragraph
  • Writing a Concluding Paragraph
  • Fire/Emergency Drill
  • Getting to Class on Time
  • Organizing Your Time
  • Finding Favorite Books
  • Organizing Your Notebook
  • Study Hall
  • Section 4. Outing/ Extracurricular
  • The Bus Class
  • Trip/ Museum Class
  • Trip/ Zoo
  • Interviewing for a High School Job
  • Section 5. Social
  • Asking Someone Out on a Date
  • Cafeteria Etiquette
  • Cursing and Offensive Language
  • Explaining Your Diagnosis to Friends
  • Finding Friends at Lunch
  • Finding Favorite Popular Music
  • Joining a Club at School
  • Making a Plan
  • School Dance
  • Section 6. Sports
  • Playing Football
  • Playing Soccer
  • Playing Tag
  • Playing Tetherball

Part III. Appendices

  • Parent Letter
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Questionnaire
  • Evaluation Tool

About the Author

About the Author

Description

Sometimes, all a student needs to succeed is a friend.

Every day, thousands of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to stay afloat at school—sometimes bullied, often ostracized. Mastering academics can be hard enough without the added challenge of navigating social situations that neurotypical kids take for granted. If students with ASD had a peer to model and reinforce socially appropriate behavior and coach them through schoolwork, it could help them feel at home in the student population.

This inspirational new book describes how to set up just such a peer-mentoring organization in your school or community. With a clear understanding of the needs of students with ASD and the kids who will be their guides, Kukoff provides:

  • Steps for organizing and implementing your own Autism Ambassadors program
  • Clear-cut guidelines on the responsibilities of student “ambassadors,” plus peer-support strategies to improve the ambassador experience
  • More than a hundred specific interventions any student can employ with students with ASD
  • A path for students with ASD to become Autism Ambassadors themselves

Based on the methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis—the gold standard in autism intervention—but created and led by students, the Autism Ambassadors curriculum will  promote leadership and improve the school experience for all students.

“This book makes a distinct contribution by providing a different view of how to support students with autism. As the number of people with autism is increasing, creating awareness and supports across larger groups of people is important.”
—Mary Reeve, Educator
Gallup McKinley County Schools, NM

“This is an amazing idea from a young innovator! This manual is a great contribution, not only to the field of professionals, but to future providers as well.”
—Kate Boone, Case Manager
MHMRA Harris County, Houston, TX

Contents

Foreword by Gary S. Katz

Foreword by Gary S. Katz

Preface

Preface

Part I. The Program

  • 1. Autism And Society Today
  • 2. Typical Students and Autism
  • 3. The Importance of Peer Leadership: What the Research Says
  • 4. Who and What is Autism Ambassadors?
  • 5. What is an Ambassador?
  • 6. Autism Ambassadors at Your School: The Nuts and Bolts of Implementation
  • 7. Curriculum Overview

Part II. The Curriculum

  • Section 1. Younger/Lower Functioning Students
  • Pay Attention/ Calm Hands
  • Being Alone
  • Logical Sequencing
  • Passing the Baton
  • Washing Hands at School
  • Section 2. Academic/ In Class
  • Asserting Yourself in Class
  • Taking Notes
  • Giving an Oral Presentation in Class
  • Replacing Classroom Items
  • Switching Desks
  • Watching a Video in Class
  • Writing an Intro Paragraph
  • Section 3. School Related/ Out of Class
  • Writing a “Chunk” Paragraph
  • Writing a Concluding Paragraph
  • Fire/Emergency Drill
  • Getting to Class on Time
  • Organizing Your Time
  • Finding Favorite Books
  • Organizing Your Notebook
  • Study Hall
  • Section 4. Outing/ Extracurricular
  • The Bus Class
  • Trip/ Museum Class
  • Trip/ Zoo
  • Interviewing for a High School Job
  • Section 5. Social
  • Asking Someone Out on a Date
  • Cafeteria Etiquette
  • Cursing and Offensive Language
  • Explaining Your Diagnosis to Friends
  • Finding Friends at Lunch
  • Finding Favorite Popular Music
  • Joining a Club at School
  • Making a Plan
  • School Dance
  • Section 6. Sports
  • Playing Football
  • Playing Soccer
  • Playing Tag
  • Playing Tetherball

Part III. Appendices

  • Parent Letter
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Questionnaire
  • Evaluation Tool

About the Author

About the Author

SAGE Publishing Logo

The Autism Ambassadors Handbook

Peer Support for Learning, Growth, and Success


June 2013 | 232 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781452235257 $41.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781483331003 $38.00

Sometimes, all a student needs to succeed is a friend.

Every day, thousands of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) struggle to stay afloat at school—sometimes bullied, often ostracized. Mastering academics can be hard enough without the added challenge of navigating social situations that neurotypical kids take for granted. If students with ASD had a peer to model and reinforce socially appropriate behavior and coach them through schoolwork, it could help them feel at home in the student population.

This inspirational new book describes how to set up just such a peer-mentoring organization in your school or community. With a clear understanding of the needs of students with ASD and the kids who will be their guides, Kukoff provides:

  • Steps for organizing and implementing your own Autism Ambassadors program
  • Clear-cut guidelines on the responsibilities of student “ambassadors,” plus peer-support strategies to improve the ambassador experience
  • More than a hundred specific interventions any student can employ with students with ASD
  • A path for students with ASD to become Autism Ambassadors themselves

Based on the methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis—the gold standard in autism intervention—but created and led by students, the Autism Ambassadors curriculum will  promote leadership and improve the school experience for all students.

“This book makes a distinct contribution by providing a different view of how to support students with autism. As the number of people with autism is increasing, creating awareness and supports across larger groups of people is important.”
—Mary Reeve, Educator
Gallup McKinley County Schools, NM

“This is an amazing idea from a young innovator! This manual is a great contribution, not only to the field of professionals, but to future providers as well.”
—Kate Boone, Case Manager
MHMRA Harris County, Houston, TX


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Gary S. Katz
  • Preface
  • Part I. The Program
  • 1. Autism And Society Today
  • 2. Typical Students and Autism
  • 3. The Importance of Peer Leadership: What the Research Says
  • 4. Who and What is Autism Ambassadors?
  • 5. What is an Ambassador?
  • 6. Autism Ambassadors at Your School: The Nuts and Bolts of Implementation
  • 7. Curriculum Overview
  • Part II. The Curriculum
  • Section 1. Younger/Lower Functioning Students
  • Pay Attention/ Calm Hands
  • Being Alone
  • Logical Sequencing
  • Passing the Baton
  • Washing Hands at School
  • Section 2. Academic/ In Class
  • Asserting Yourself in Class
  • Taking Notes
  • Giving an Oral Presentation in Class
  • Replacing Classroom Items
  • Switching Desks
  • Watching a Video in Class
  • Writing an Intro Paragraph
  • Section 3. School Related/ Out of Class
  • Writing a “Chunk” Paragraph
  • Writing a Concluding Paragraph
  • Fire/Emergency Drill
  • Getting to Class on Time
  • Organizing Your Time
  • Finding Favorite Books
  • Organizing Your Notebook
  • Study Hall
  • Section 4. Outing/ Extracurricular
  • The Bus Class
  • Trip/ Museum Class
  • Trip/ Zoo
  • Interviewing for a High School Job
  • Section 5. Social
  • Asking Someone Out on a Date
  • Cafeteria Etiquette
  • Cursing and Offensive Language
  • Explaining Your Diagnosis to Friends
  • Finding Friends at Lunch
  • Finding Favorite Popular Music
  • Joining a Club at School
  • Making a Plan
  • School Dance
  • Section 6. Sports
  • Playing Football
  • Playing Soccer
  • Playing Tag
  • Playing Tetherball
  • Part III. Appendices
  • Parent Letter
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Questionnaire
  • Evaluation Tool
  • About the Author

Recent Product Reviews:

"Zak Kukoff has provided a program curriculum that simply doesn't exist. This program is just what we were looking for. It's one thing to teach kids to be nice and accepting; it’s another to teach kids how to engage with their peers who have autism. The students who learn from the modules become incredible peer models, mentors and leaders. Autism Ambassadors truly bridges the gap in social development programs for children with autism."
Nicole Simon, Director of Programming, Variety, The Children's Charity
“This is an amazing idea from a young innovator! This manual provides an amazing contribution, not only to the field of professionals, but to future providers as well.”
Kate Boone, Case Manager, MHMRA Harris County, Houston, TX
“What’s not to like about The Autism Ambassadors Handbook? This book, written by a 18-year-old entrepreneur, provides a complete program that allows empathic students to teach vital skills to their autistic peers. Student-teachers, autistic students, and teachers all win with this curriculum. Did I mention that it is free to implement?”
Anne Beveridge, Branksome Hall Asia
“This book makes a distinct contribution by providing a different view of how to support students with autism. As the number of people with autism is increasing, creating awareness and supports across larger groups of people is important. Providing ways for students with ASD to interact and be supported by other students is needed.”
Mary Reeve, Educator, Gallup McKinley County Schools, NM

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