About the Book
Social skills may impact a student with a disability more than the disability itself. Learn the social deficits and challenges associated with disabilities as well as strategies to support social skill development. A variety of professionals share their success strategies so readers (parents, teachers, counselors, psychologists, and others working in the disability field) can incorporate them into their professional “toolbox” and practice. Included are strategies from Special Educators, School Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, an Occupational Therapist, and a Psychologist. Current issues such as bullying are explored in addition to ways that professionals and universities should be involved in supporting social skills of students with disabilities. A special section on working with parents includes a handout with strategies parents can use while social skills are developing in their child.
Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION
PREFACE
CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 1 – Professional’s Role in Supporting Social Skills
Dr. Helen Nicole Frye Myers
CHAPTER 2 – Current Issues related to Social Skills Deficits
Dr. Helen Nicole Frye Myers
CHAPTER 3 – How Special Education Supports Social Skills
Dr. Helen Nicole Frye Myers
CHAPTER 4 – How School Counselors Support Social Skills
Dr. Amy Milsom
CHAPTER 5 – Peer Process Social Skills Groups
Dr. Christopher Haley
CHAPTER 6 – Use of Relatedness in Working with Children
Kimberly S. Harris, M.Ed., LPC, ABD
CHAPTER 7 – Understanding Sensory Input
Katherine Anne DeWeerd,OTR/L
CHAPTER 8 – The Role of Universities
Dr. Helen Nicole Frye Myers
CHAPTER 9 – Bullying: A Special Concern
Dr. Beverly Epps
CHAPTER 10 – Helping Parents Help their Child
Dr. Helen Nicole Frye Myers
CONTRIBUTORS
About the Author :
Dr. Helen Nicole Frye Myers teaches at University of Mary Washington where she serves as coordinator of the university’s Play Lab and Autism Clinic. She worked as both an elementary and secondary special educator before going into administration and later higher education. Dr. Myer’s research focuses on social skills in children with disabilities, training parents to advocate for their children, and improving special educator preparation and training. Dr. Myers presents regularly on social skills and authentic learning. She is the mother of one child.
Katherine Anne DeWeerd, OTR/L graduated with a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy and with an undergraduate focus of Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Allied Health. Katherine’s career in pediatrics includes working for Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Fredericksburg Therapy Center. Additionally, Katherine co-founded Stage Door Stars through Stage Door Productions. Stage Door Stars is a special needs theatre program that offers theatre sensory camps and workshops year round in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. She is the mother of four children.
Dr. Beverly Epps teaches at University of Mary Washington. She taught Science at the secondary level before becoming involved in administration and later higher education and Educational Leadership. Dr. Epps is concerned about bullying in our schools and has presents regularly on this topic. Dr. Epps developed and teaches professional development training for teachers on bullying.
Dr. Amy Milsom teaches at Clemson University and serves as the coordinator for School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. She worked as a middle and high school counselor, and has extensive experience working with students with disabilities. Dr. Milsom's research focuses on individuals with disabilities, postsecondary transitions, and school counselor preparation. She has over 40 publications and presents regularly at counseling conferences.
Dr. Christopher T. Haley is the Co-Director of Psychological and Life Skills Associates in Woodbridge, VA. Dr. Haley is a Clinical Psychologist with experience in psychotherapy with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups. His primary specialty area is teaching social skills to children and adolescents. He opened "The Social Skills Center in 2012. Dr. Haley's other areas of interest include parenting, parent-child conflict, family issues, and men's issues. Dr. Haley resides in Fairfax Co., Virginia, with his wife, two daughters, and dog, Toby.
Kimberly S. Harris, ABD, LPC received her master degrees in Counseling and Human Development from Harvard University, and in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Loyola College, Maryland. She is currently completing her doctoral studies in Counselor Education and Supervision at Loyola University Maryland, where her research interests include attachment, spirituality, and addiction. Kim is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia and is currently in private practice, specializing in the support of children and families during times of transition and loss. She is the mother of four children.
Review :
Myers (Univ. of Mary Washington), editor and contributor of five chapters, rightfully notes that social skills associated with disability have long been neglected, and pinpoints the major cause for the neglect: social skills are numerous in deficits as well as unique to specific disabilities and to each individual. In addition, she is very blunt as to why there has not been much headway, stating that teachers simply do not know what to do about social skills. Myers attempts to address the issue and provides researched strategies geared to aid educators in assisting children with disabilities to learn social skills. She proposes admirable goals, and her original attempts can only be appreciated. However, in the end, the solution suggested is too simplistic for the issue to be resolved realistically, since the issue has so many layers that all have to be examined and resolved individually for a truly successful result. Therefore, this book is an excellent first step for students and those already working in the disability field, as it suggests incorporating change to successfully support social skills for children with disability so that they can be prepared to transition to adulthood with all the necessary skills. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduate and professional collections.
As a developmental and behavioral pediatrician who cares for hundreds of children with disabilities, one of the most difficult, most demanding, and most important questions I face is "How can I help my child develop good social skills?" Social Skills Deficits by Dr. Myers and her team is a well-researched book that also draws on the clinical insights of experienced practitioners. I especially appreciate the book’s emphasis on early intervention, playfulness, and naturalistic settings. The eclectic approach taken here is the best because one size of intervention does not fit all children with disabilities. I highly recommend this book.
Relevant and Refreshing!
Lack of attention to the importance of social skills in individuals with disabilities is where we have historically fallen down on the job. In a different era, a different time and place, when attempts were made to educate children with learning disabilities (like me) the irresistible urge on the part of educators, administrators, and parents was to break the will of a spirited child in order to 'teach' them—often while overlooking the inner self and social potential of the child. As a result, today, we have many broken individuals who feel like school failures.
There have been great strides made over the years, but Nicole Myers' book is a goldmine of practical information for professionals who work with individuals with disabilities and importantly the parents of these individuals as well. Clear, concise, and easy to follow, she provides expert insight and a fabulous array of practical tools for developing social skills in children—importantly emphasizing the 'one size does NOT fit all concept.'
As a person with dyslexia, I found getting good grades in school to be impossible. However 'good grades' were not a marker of my intelligence. Luckily I was able to foster my communication and social skills and found my true talents in life. I applaud this book.
Social skills instruction is critical for the success of students with disabilities. Dr. Myers' text addresses this essential and often overlooked skill in a practical and universal style. The inclusion of the role of university faculty and parents is especially insightful in addressing social skills training across all settings….A long-awaited text for all professionals working with students with disabilities.
Dr. Myers has developed a text that is a tremendous asset to the field. It allows readers to gain an understanding of issues related to social skills deficits in students with disabilities. Through a unique organization, she brings together experts and research to offer practical application and successful support for stakeholders.
Social deficits can result in significant school failure for students with disabilities, but in many textbooks they are relegated to a short chapter. This new book, Social Skills Deficits in Students with Disabilities, clearly addresses all the aspects of these essential skills. Each chapter begins with focus questions and makes use of case studies to illustrate practices which are effective in developing confident, collaborative, and resilient learners. Clear descriptions of the way in which teachers, counselors, therapists, and parents can help students meet social challenges are sure to make an important difference in the way students with disabilities meet their daily challenges.
