Recently, I ran across a treasure trove of resources from http://autismteachingstrategies.com/. It was designed and published by Joel Shaul. In this blog post I will provide links to his content.
Joel Shaul specializes in mental health services for children and teens at the autism spectrum.
In his work with children on the autism spectrum in various settings, Joel has noticed a need for more engaging social skills curricula, stronger visual components and more compelling social skills learning activities. He first created the World of Ryuu with Rebecca Klaw, another Pittsburgh-based professional working with children with Asperger’s or other autism spectrum disorders. His two illustrated children’s books, The Conversation Train and The Green Zone Conversation Book, are published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Joel provides dozens of free social skills downloads on this website.
Through Autism Teaching Strategies, Joel provides trainings nationwide on the topics of social skills teaching and effective counseling for children with high functioning autism.
Joel provides individual and group services, in schools and clinical settings, at The Watson Institute in Sewickley, Pa.
He received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1979. Joel was a community organizer with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone where he helped to build a midwife clinic and develop a health education curriculum for primary schools.
Videos
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video One
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video Two
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video Three
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video Four
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video Five
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video Six
Upset Feeling Video for Kids: CBT Video Seven
Upset Feelings Video for Kids: CBT Video Eight
Materials and Strategies
CBT Thought Bubbles: How to Download and Use Them
Simple CBT Worksheets: How to Download and Use Them
Brief descriptions of the free download resources on social communication
Brief descriptions of the free download resources on emotional regulation
Brief descriptions of the free download resources combining relationships/emotions/communication
Using visual word prompts and a song to teach showing interest to kids with ASD
Using picture prompts for non-verbal communication for children with ASD
Using chain and girder pictures to teach conversation skills to kids with ASD
Using a balance to teach relationship reciprocity to children with ASD
Using a balance to teach conversation reciprocity to children with ASD
Using a flip camera for social skills training for kids with ASD
How to make social-skills training game-like and fun for children with ASD
Social-skills training technique for ASD, using tokens
Hello songs to reinforce greetings for kids with ASD
Goodbye song for teaching goodbye to kids with ASD
Social-skills song to promote eye contact for kids with ASD
Social Skills
Card Game
The World of Ryuu*
Using a fantasy world of dragons to build social skills in humans.
Ryuu products are a collection of teaching and therapy aids based on a fantasy world of dragons. Ryuu activities teach social and emotional skills to children and teens with autism, Asperger Syndrome, and other autism spectrum disorders. These products are designed to teach social, emotional and communication skills by combining fantasy worlds, card collecting, and role play.
Building Momentum in Schools 