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Code Blue has developed social skills coaching programs to support young adults 18 plus on the autism spectrum.
These programs address four (4) critical areas of need:
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Social skills coaching that is evidence-based and utilises peer mentoring to support the development of the necessary social skills to establish and maintain a healthy long-term social network.
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Better access & inclusion in the mainstream community and employment.
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Empower young adults on the autism spectrum to self-direct their social choices.
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Increase community involvement in the social lives of young adults on the autism spectrum through its peer mentoring programs.
In April 2017 Code Blue for Autism launched its flagship social skills coaching program Chill. Chill is a strength-based social skills coaching program for young adults 18 plus on the autism spectrum. Supported by peer mentors the interactive workshops use video illustration, peer demonstrations, role play and social situation rehearsals to learn the social skills that many young adults on the spectrum find challenging. Research tells us that social behaviour can be learned through observing, copying, practising, repetition and role-play and Chill with its evidence based curriculum uses these approaches to achieve social skill acquisition.
The Chill program uses popular culture mediums of drama, music, audio-visual and social media are used to ensure relevance and optimal engagement. Highly skilled peer mentors are fellow travellers on the 10 week journey of Chill providing the crucial ingredient of peer role modelling.
Chill Social Skills
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Conversation skills
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How to find common interests by trading information
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How to enter and exit group conversations
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How to handle rejection
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How to organise and have successful get-togethers
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Developing friendship networks – identifying peer groups & activities in which to find sources of potential friends
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How to handle arguments and disagreements
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Organizing get-togethers
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Phone calls
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Body language
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Empathy
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How to use electronic forms of communication appropriately: texting, personal messaging, social media posting, emails
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Compliments
Benefits
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Establishing & developing new friendships through shared interests
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Feeling less socially isolated
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Increased self-confidence
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Increased self-esteem
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A feeling of social independence
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Improved sense of identity
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Find your tribe!
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Owning a network of friends, not relying on others (family) to “get out”
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Carers & family enjoy seeing their person being included and nurtured in other people’s lives
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Social ability crosses into all life domains – the ability to work with others, ability to study with others, ability to live with others, ability to be independent socially