LINKS- A Peer to Peer ApproachEastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District

Recipient of the 2012 MAASE Mini-Grant President’s Award

24 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR STUDENTS WITH ASD

Antecedent-Based Interventions

Computer-Aided Instruction

Differential Reinforcement

Discrete Trial TrainingExtinction

Functional Behavior

Assessment

Functional Communication Training

Naturalistic Intervention

Parent-Implemented Intervention

Social Narratives

Self-Management

Peer-Mediated Instruction and Intervention

Social Skills Groups

Prompting Reinforcement

Response Interruption/Redirection

Pivotal Response Training

Speech Generating Devices

Structured Work Systems

Task Analysis

Time Delay Video Modeling

Visual Supports

PECS

Rudyard Area Center and Turner-Howson Elementary

• 3-26 age Building servicing 50 students

• 15 Target students

• K-5 Building serving approximately 450 students

• 9 Target students

Links road map

Administrative support

Staff trainings

Links overview in classrooms

Medium of exchange

Motivating activities

Regular student

meetings

Parents night

fundraising

STAFF TRAINING

GENERAL EDUCAT

ION IN

TRODUCTIO

N LESSON

kaidon

Kaidon’s Strengths Kaidon’s Challenges

Some Quick Information…

•Autism Spectrum Disorder is sometimes called ASD•Most students with ASD are born with it•Autism is NOT contagious•There are more boys than girls with autism•Some students with autism talk, and some do not•Most students with autism have strong interest areas•Most students with autism have a difficult time understanding social situations•Students with autism often need to learn in different ways•Kids with an ASD are often very knowledgeable in certain areas

Many of Kaidon’s challenges occur because he has…

Autism, really, is just a different way of thinking…a different way that a brain works!

Teachers and staff are working really hard at Turner Howson to assist Kaidon. But…many, many, many smart people have done a lot of

research and studies and found that the people who can best help kids with autism learn and grow are...…

PEERS! (other kids their age!)

That’s right!

You could be one of Kaidon’s strongest LINK S to success!

So, you are wondering, just what is a LINK?

•A LINK will be a student who is about Kaidon’s age who will support him.•Most importantly – a LINK is a good friend!•A LINK will play and talk about things that Kaidon is interested in, and help him discover other fun things, too!•A LINK might work next to Kaidon on a classroom assignment.•Kaidon will need a LINK at recess and lunch and perhaps even some other areas like the classroom or speech•The LINKS will meet frequently to talk about what is going well with Kaidon, where he’s struggling, and discuss how YOU can help. The LINK meetings are usually pretty fun and treats or special lunches are often involved •You can volunteer if you are interested. We have applications and permission slips for you to fill out if you are.•We’ll let you know when the first LINK meeting will be very soon!

MEDIUM OF EXCHANGELINKING GENERAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH

STUDENTS WITH AN ASD

General Education Curriculum

Students with an ASD

General Education Students

REGULAR LINK MEETINGS

Case Conferences

Teaching

CASE CONFERENCES

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES AS PART OF THE LINK PROCESS

• Flexible Thinking

• Strong LINK vs. Weaker LINK

• Theory of Mind (20 Questions, Charades, etc.)

• PB&J: effective communication

• Mrs. Craven Says

LINKS PARENT NIGHT

MOTIVATING LINKS ACTIVITIES

• Fun activities beyond the school building

• Linkapalooza

• m&M Award

• Bowling and other field trips

• Estimation jar activity

• Snacks, snacks and more snacks!

LINK CELEBRATION

• Half day barbeque and kickball game.

• Collect reflection questionnaires from LINKS on their experiences

• Good time to recruit next year’s LINKS

LINK OUTCOMES

• Decreased need for paraprofessional support

• Increased exposure to general education

• Decreased office referrals

• Increased interests and participation in general education curriculum

• Friends! –

CHANGING THE SCHOOL CLIMATE

• Parent Perspective from Community Night

• Teacher perspective

• General Education Special Education

Collaboration LINKS became our

medium of exchange!

• LINKS become advocates

Peer to Peer ResourcesThe MUST HAVES!

OCALI Autism Internet Modules

Peer to Peer Mediation

Statewide Autism

Resources and Training (START)

Peer to Peer tab

National Professional

Development Council (NPDC) on

ASD Evidence Based Practice Briefs

Peer to Peer Mediation Checklist for implementation

IF YOU REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE REMEMBER...

Rachel BymaSpecial Education Supervisor

EUPISD

Carrie CarrAutism Specialist

EUPISD

Jessica ClarkMoCI Classroom Teacher

EUPISD

Angela CravenSchool Social Worker

EUPISD

LINKS BROCHURE

LINKS POSTER

LIINK APPLICATION

PARENT PERMISSION

CLASS SCHEDULE

LINK AWARD

END OF YEAR SUMMARY