Chill for Autism has developed social programs to support young adults with autism spectrum disorders. These programs address four (4) critical areas of need:
1. 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.
2. Better access & inclusion to mainstrea
m community events.
3. Empower young adults with ASD to self-direct their social choices.
4. Increase community involvement in the social lives of young adults with ASD through its peer mentoring programs. In April 2017, Chill for Autism (formerly Code Blue for Autism) launched its flagship social coaching program Chill. Chill is a strength-based social skills coaching program for young adults 18+ years 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. Trained peer mentors assist the participants each week and are involved in all workshops at a ratio of one peer mentor to three participants. Chill activities include:
• Conversation skills
• How to find common interests by trading information
• How to appropriately use humour
• How to enter and exit group conversations
• How to handle rejection and direct or indirect bullying
• How to organise and have successful get-togethers
• Developing friendship networks – identifying peer groups & activities in which to find sources of potential friends
• How to handle arguments and disagreements
• Dating etiquette/skills
• Good sportsmanship
• Strategies for handling bullying
• How to use electronic forms of communication appropriately: texting, personal messaging, social media posting, emails
• Strategies for altering a bad reputation
• Managing rumours & gossip
Who is a great fit for Chill? is designed for young adults 18 years and over who are on the autism spectrum (or similar) and who are interested in learning skills to make friends, maintain friendships and develop romantic relationships. Benefits of Chill:
• Establishing & developing new friendships through shared interests
• Feeling less socially isolated
• Owning a network of friends, not relying on others (family) to “get out”
• Increased self confidence
• Increased self esteem
• Feeling of social independence
• Improved sense of identity
• Family are no longer the sole source of participant’s entertainment & socialisation
• Carers & family enjoy seeing their person being included and nurtured in other people’s lives
• Social ability crosses into all life domains – ability to work with others, ability to study with others, ability to live with others, ability to be independent socially. Community guidelines
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