Welcome Back Parents and Students!

Welcome back parents and students to the 2013-2014 school year!  Greenbrier's theme this year is Lights!  Camera!  Action!  All of our students are "stars" and we want to help them shine :).

This year, I am the social worker for the K-5 and Transitional Kindergarten programs at Greenbrier Tuesday through Friday and the Communications program social worker on Mondays at Windsor School.

At Greenbrier, I will be continuing to work with students individually and in groups, facilitating classroom education, as well continuing the SOLVE IT conflict resolution program and peer mediator program.  At Windsor, I will continue to work with students individually and in groups, as well as facilitating the structured recess with the buddy classes.

I am looking forward to a great school year.  Lights!  Camera!  Action!

Do we "Clique?"

Children go through many friendship "ups" and "downs" in their lives.  It is helpful for parents and children to understand what is a quality friendship and what is not.  

The link below is a handout I created about the difference between "Cliques" and "Groups of Friends" as well as how to help your child navigate through the "ups" and "downs."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6bpu5ucu9mj4c70/Cliques%20%26%20Friendship%20HO.doc

Teaching Social Skills through Video Modeling

On Friday, March 8th, Barb Donahue and I held our third parent group at Windsor School.  We discussed how video modeling can be beneficial to teach social skills.  During the session we showed videos that we have used with students including topics on conversations, sharing, and taking turns.  The DVD's we reviewed were from "Model Me Kids" and "Teach 2 Talk."

Check out the following website to understand the purpose and value of video modeling:

http://tdsocialskills.com/using-video_to_teach_social_skil.htm

Play dates! Play dates! Play dates!

Barb, Maggie, and I held our second parent group for the Foundations, Communications, and Transitional Kindergarten program on Friday, February 1st from 9am to 10am at Windsor School.  This month's topic was play dates.  We discussed how to structure play dates and what types of activities can be successful.  

Please click the link below for some play date activities.  This was one of the handouts passed out at our meeting.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1l9v57ih1xwlv3r/Let’s%20Play.docx

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year Gators and Wildcats!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful winter break and are excited for 2013!  I am looking forward to continuing my social work programs at both Windsor and Greenbrier.  Programs include individual and group therapies, peer mediators, peer helpers, structured recesses, parent groups, etc.  Enjoy the school year and keep in touch!

Helping your Child Cope with Stress and Anxiety

Click below to download :)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/edu5ywwmglqyln9/Stress%20and%20Anxiety%20HO-REVISED.doc

"Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew"

Click on the link below :)

http://www.autismvoice.com/2006/08/07/ten-things-your-student-with-autism-wishes-you-knew/