We are two teachers from northern Sweden. We both work with children with learning disabilities in a public school. We often meet children who are trying repeatedly and unsuccessfully making and keeping friends. Helping children in their social development is very important, but we’ve found that we don’t have the methods we need to help them. Have you found a method or a technique that you can recommend? Have you tried “The social Skills Autopsy” for example? We are planning on coming to the USA in May 2008 for a study trip to learn more about how to teach social skills to children. In October 2007 we’re going to apply for a scholarship for this to come true, but we urgently need invitations to some schools on the east coast. Are you interested in sharing your knowledge and experience? Please contact us
Re: Need to learn more about how to teach social skills....
I’m going to buy his book and some other books I found on the internet. Didn’t know Mr Lavoie had a school, do you know where? We want to visit some schools but we don’t know where, but it could bee any kind of school any where. I work in a public school because there is no other form of schools in Lycksele where I live. In Sweden almost all children go to public schools and we don’t have home schooling. It’s very interesting and exciting to see how other teachers work, especially in other countries. Teachers struggle with the same kind of problems but sometimes we solve them differently. I believe that we can learn from each other. It’s really sad that children with learning difficulties are more likely than their peers to be lonely and as a teacher it’s up to me to help them. But we are a small country with limited resources. But I believe that two special education teachers can make a difference. But we don’t know how to get in contact with schools willing to let us visit them.
Need to learn more about how to teach social skills....
Mr. Lavoie ran a school in Massachusets (here in the USA) for many years. He has retired from that, but speaks around the country and writes books. He has a web site ricklavoie.com You may be able to contact him through the site.
As far as 2 special education teachers making a difference, aboslutely! I owe much of where I am today and what I am able to do to two special education teachers, Mrs. Bikart and Mrs. Gornick. Of course, I also owe thanks to the reading specialist who taught me how to read (Mrs. Burnum or was it Birtchum…), the woman who helped improve my fine and gross motor coordination (Mrs. Sussman), my special ed. English teachers, and all the other teachers who helped me along the way.
Where will you be going to learn? I have seen a DVD by Rick Lavoie titled “Last one Picked, First one Picked on” which deals with social skills issues. His school used the autopsy method to great success. Maybe check out his book about socal skills?