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

EUP was the 2011-2012 Host Site for the K-12 Intensive

Training Series

So - What is Peer to

Peer Mediation?

Turner Howson Elementary SchoolRudyard Area Schools

• K-5 Building serving approximately 450 students

• 8 students with an ASD attend the school

• 3 receive services at the Rudyard Area Center

Turner Howson LINKS

Parent Permission

Staff Training

ASD 101 + LINKS

Overview in Classrooms

Medium of Exchange

Parent Night

RegularActivities

Staff Training

LINKS Lesson in Classrooms

LINKS PROGRAM

TURNER HOWSON ELEMENTARY

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

Positives! Concerns? Ideas…

Teaching Opportunities as Part of the LINK Process

• Flexible Thinking

• Strong LINK vs. Weaker LINK

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

• K’Nex – Cooperation

LINKS Community Event

Quarterly LINK Activities

Fun activities beyond the school building.

Keeps LINKS motivated and actively engaged.

Opportunities for social modeling

New experiences of visiting places with peers instead of adults.

LINK Celebration

Half day barbeque and kickball game.

Collect reflection questionnaires from LINKS on their experiences

Good time to recruit next year’s LINKS

• Decreased need for paraprofessional support

• Increased exposure to general education

• Decreased office referrals

• Increased interests and participation in general education curriculum

• Friends –

• Last Year…

• This year…

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

Rachel BymaSpecial Education Supervisor

EUPISD

Carrie CarrAutism Specialist

EUPISD

Jessica ClarkMoCI Classroom Teacher

EUPISD

Angela CravenSchool Social Worker