News: Social Skills Academy Prepares Children with Autism for Community Interactions

The Social Skills Academy prepares Tennessee children with autism to function socially in the community. In addition to lessons that teach emotions, peer interaction, body language, making friends, and play, each school day begins and ends with a meal during which children are taught appropriate table manners. Tonia Wheeler, autism consultant (Putnam County Schools), states, "Establishing Social Skills Academy . . . offers children with ASD an intensive social skills program in a natural setting with peer models. In addition, school personnel are increasing their knowledge of ASD and learning to implement a variety of strategies for maximum student learning."

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