Social Communications Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Social Communications

Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Lesson Objectives

Learn general support strategies for people with social communication disorders

Understand how to better structure the workplace for success


General Support Strategies

Determine communication message of behavior

Teach it right the first time



Use visuals

Tell the employee what to do instead of what not to do



Provide models of what to say

Is there a way for the worker to ask for help/clarification/a break?



Identify how task will be motivating for the worker

Slow down

Give time to respond

Keep directions brief



Use work/break routines

Be specific: clear beginning, middle, end


Strategies for Organization

Provide daily individual schedule

Provide monthly or long-term schedule

Provide individual work system

Create schedules within schedules

Use listsIndiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Strategies for Organization, cont.

Change physical structure of work area

Teach length of time

Adjust level of spoken language

Use shorter sentences for directions

Enhance oral directions with written information


Problem-Solving Strategies

1. Visuals

2. Coaching

3. Theory of Mind

4. Teachable moments/natural experiences


What Is Social Coaching?

Supporting a person in the workplace by developing strategies to facilitate the worker’s:

1. Satisfaction (Value Matching)

2. Self-advocacy Skills

3. Social Skills

4. Communication Style


1. Satisfaction (Value Matching)

Minnesota Work Adjustment Theory


Minnesota Work Adjustment Theory

Work skills matched with job requirements = Satisfactoriness

Work values matched with job reinforcers = Satisfaction


Minnesota Work Adjustment Theory, cont.

Satisfactoriness + Satisfaction = Job Tenure

Too often we focus on satisfactoriness

We need to assess what a worker with social communication disorders values


Relation to Social Communication Disorders,

cont.

We cannot assume what an individual values

From experience, job retention is significantly increased when a worker with social communication disorders’ values are addressed and met on the job


How to Assess Work Values

Direct Interview

Hobbies & Free Time

Ask Family

Observations of Behavior

O*Net


Self-Advocacy Skills

Asking for help

Saying “I don’t understand”

Requesting breaks

Worker Rights

Worker Responsibilities


Social Skills

A critical part of social coaching…


Social Interaction on the Job

Temple Grandin is an individual with autism who has her Ph.D. in animal science

She defined the following Rule System to guide her social interactions and behaviors, especially on the job


Social Interaction

There are four categories in this system:

Really Bad Things

Courtesy Rules

Illegal but Not Bad

Sins of the System


1. Really Bad Things

Defined as things that are considered extremely bad by a culture and are almost always illegal

Examples:

Stealing someone’s work

Hitting a co-workerIndiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services

2. Courtesy Rules

These things are important because they make others around you at work feel comfortable


2. Courtesy Rules, cont.

Examples:

Cleaning up the lunch area after you finish eating

Letting a co-worker in a rush make copies before you


3. Illegal But Not Bad

These things technically violate a law, but are not considered bad by the culture.


3. Illegal But Not Bad, cont.

Examples:

Speeding when you are late for work

“Stealing” a paper clip from a co-worker’s desk


4. Sins of the System

These are the unwritten rules of the workplace that will lead to termination. Some of these rules may vary from work place to work place.

This is a category that is difficult for workers with social communication disorders.


4. Sins of the System, cont.

There are many reasons why problems exist or can potentially affect the work setting. Examples:

Not asking a supervisor six times when it will be time to return from break.

Not discussing sexual issues with a co-worker.


Social Support Strategies

Social Stories

Rule Cards

Role-play/Rehearsal

Scripting

Peer Tutoring

Social Communication Groups


Social Skill Supports

1. Visuals

The purpose of visual tools is to enhance the social skill process by making the most of a person’s ability to gain information from their sense of sight. As a result, some individuals are more likely to understand and interpret information.


Social Skill Supports

Types of Workplace Visuals

Maps

Signs

Calendar/Schedules

Lists

Make them user friendly!


Social Skill Supports, cont.

2. Social Stories

This tool can be used to teach employees specific social skills or situations (e.g., asking for help, maintaining self-control) as well as a number of social and behavioral concepts (e.g., fire drills, making transitions).

Social Stories are especially useful for employees with cognitive disabilities or those who process information visually.Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation

Services


Use Social Stories to address:

Asking for help

Being a team player

Taking “breaks” rules

Getting along with others



Use Social Stories to address:

Handling harassment

Maintaining self-control

Following directions

Open door policy



The three types of sentences that are best to use in Social Stories are:

Descriptive

Perspective

Directive



3. Comic Strip Conversations

A Comic Strip Conversation is a visual conversation between two or more people using simple illustrations in a comic strip format.



Comic Strip Conversations

This visual tool uses stick figures and simple drawings with thought and speech bubbles to help illustrate what people are saying vs. what they might be thinking. This can help employees better understand feelings and intentions they can’t “see.”



4. Mentoring

Formal vs. Informal

Mentor Selection

Mentor Training

Incentives & Follow-up



5. Role Play

Specific text with instructor

Specific text with peer

Improvise entire interaction

Practice in natural environment


Fears on the Table

A “Time to Talk” Activity


Hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense! Large, untapped labor pool Lower turnover Reduced recruiting costs Fewer absences Good performance Good safety record No impact on medical & insurance costs An ethical, socially responsible thing to do


Biz Benefits

New Customer Niche Group

Increased Brand Loyalty

Improved Community Relations

Risk Reduction/ADA Compliance Support

Reduced Recruiting Costs

Reduced Training Costs

Reduced Turnover

Tax Credits

Other Incentives

Increased Diversity


Natural Supports Websites

VCU Rehabilitation Training &

Support

www.worksupport.com

Job Accommodation Network

www.askjan.org

Griffin Hammis

www.griffinhammis.comIndiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services

http://www.worksupport.com/

http://www.askjan.org/

http://www.griffinhammis.com/

Date post:	23-Dec-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	cecil-hampton
View:	219 times
Download:	0 times

Social Communications Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Documents