Navigating Friendships: A Journey for Autistic Learners
Explore social skills in 'Navigating Friendships: A Journey for Autistic Learners.' A class focused on building meaningful connections and understanding social cues for autistic children.
Samuel Kaitter
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(272)
What's included
2 live meetings
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
Welcome to "Navigating Friendships: A Journey for Autistic Learners," an interactive and supportive class tailored for autistic learners who wish to explore the dynamics of forming and nurturing friendships. This course is designed to provide practical skills in understanding emotions, engaging in conversations, and interpreting social cues through a variety of engaging teaching methods. What Will Be Taught & Topics Covered: Throughout this course, we will delve into: Essentials of Friendship: Initiating and sustaining friendships. Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and managing emotions. Communication Skills: Effective conversation strategies. Social Cues & Etiquette: Navigating body language and social norms. Weekly Agenda for the First Four Weeks: Week February 19: Introduction to Friendship We begin by exploring what friendship means and why it's important. Lectures and slides will introduce the concept, followed by interactive games to help learners identify qualities they value in friends. Week February 26: Emotional Intelligence This week focuses on understanding and expressing emotions. Video clips and role-playing exercises guide learners through recognizing emotions in themselves and others, fostering empathy and emotional connection. Week of March 4: Communication Skills Effective communication is key to friendship. Through group discussions and practical role-play, students will learn how to start conversations, listen actively, and share their thoughts and feelings clearly. Week of March 11: Social Cues & Etiquette Understanding non-verbal communication and social etiquette forms this week's core. Interactive activities and video analysis will help learners interpret body language, facial expressions, and the unspoken rules of social interactions. Class Structure & Teaching Methods: Our class combines lectures and slides for foundational knowledge, interactive games and role-plays for practical application, video clips for real-life context, and group discussions for shared learning experiences. Teaching Style: I prioritize a learner-centered, empathetic approach, creating an inclusive atmosphere where every student is encouraged to participate and express themselves. Confidence-building and constructive feedback are key components of my teaching style. Learner Interaction: Learners will enjoy a mix of group activities, individual reflections, Q&A sessions, and collaborative projects, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging learning experience. Interaction is encouraged to not only learn from the instructor but also from peers, enhancing the social learning aspect of the course. Join us in "Navigating Friendships: A Journey for Autistic Learners" for a comprehensive exploration into the art of making and maintaining friendships. This course promises a blend of knowledge, practical skills, and confidence-building activities, all designed to help you navigate the complexities of social interactions while forming meaningful connections. Let's embark on this exciting journey together!
Learning Goals
Develop Emotional Intelligence: Learners will gain the ability to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions, as well as interpret and respond to the emotions of others. This goal aims to foster empathy and emotional connectivity, crucial for building and maintaining healthy relationships.
Enhance Communication Skills: The class is designed to improve learners' abilities to initiate and maintain conversations, listen actively, and express themselves effectively. Enhancing these communication skills is fundamental for engaging in meaningful social interactions and forming lasting friendships.
Understand Social Cues and Etiquette: Learners will learn to interpret non-verbal communication cues, such as body language and facial expressions, and understand social norms and etiquette. Mastering these skills will help learners navigate social situations more comfortably and confidently.
Other Details
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined May, 2020
4.9
272reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
With over five years of hands-on experience in a high-intensity Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) special education classroom, I bring a wealth of expertise to the field of social skills education for autistic learners. My journey is anchored by a master's degree in Emotional Behavior Disorders, which has equipped me with a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding emotional and behavioral challenges in the educational setting. This academic background, combined with an innate ability to connect with and understand children, enables me to design and implement strategies that are both effective and empathetic. My approach is rooted in the belief that every child has the potential to thrive socially and emotionally, provided they are given the right support and opportunities. This unique blend of professional experience, specialized education, and natural aptitude for working with children positions me as a dedicated advocate and educator in helping students navigate the intricacies of friendships and social interactions.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$22
weekly ($11 per class)2x per week
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-10 learners per class
