About Discover Social Skills
Overview
Discover Social Skills provides highly structured, interactive and enjoyable social groups supporting pupils in their understanding of the complex social world.
Aims:
1. To promote neurodiverse strengths through positive affirmations and increased awareness
2. To explain neurotypical social rules
3. To teach self-advocacy skills (such as asking for changes to the sensory environment etc)
By developing an accepting environment, pupils can engage in enjoyable social activities with peers whilst minimising anxiety.
Teaching specific skills to help pupils navigate through the often confusing neurotypical social world.
Autism Specific Approach
- Providing social groups for Autistic pupils which aim to shape pupils lives in a way that plays to their autistic strengths and minimises exposure to any sensitivities.
- Promoting an accepting environment which appreciates that some Autistic children and young adults need to engage in particular behaviours in order to feel comfortable.
- Groups are highly structured with a consistent format providing reassurance and familiarity.
- Promoting engagement by providing activities based on pupils interests.
About Me
Adam Kirkpatrick
- MA Sociology
- BA (Hons) Coaching and Sport Development
- Talkabout trained
- 10 years experience teaching neurodiverse children (Autism, ADHD, ADD, PDA and more)
- Provided staff training courses on:
- Assessing and teaching social skills
- Group cohesion games
- Provided social skills groups for ChAPS (Cheshire Autism Practical Support)
- Former Stoke City football player
- Republic of Ireland youth international
- UEFA qualified coach
- Full clean DBS check
- Emergency aid trained