The NBN Group – Company News

If the measurement of achievement for our kids is the, “Good Bye Song” they succeed! New Behavioral Network runs a fun social skills class at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ.

The social skills program is designed for children on the Autism Spectrum, Aspergers and PDD-NOS. (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified) Each class has a learning module theme, so there is different activities each class. The class has a schedule of activities for every 15 minutes, throughout the hour. This way we can always work on following a schedule and transitioning in addition to all the other benefits of the social program.

In the beginning of the hour chaos is a good way to describe the scene at the discovery museum. There were 5 kids in our last class at the discovery museum and we have a one to one staff to child ratio. The age ranges are from 3 to 5. In the beginning of the first class one child is screaming so loud it sounds as if an old woman is being stabbed. This affects some of the other children bringing them to tears. Within the first fifteen minutes a behavior interventionist is working and negotiating with the child who is overloaded and screaming. The deal is go play for 5 minutes by your self, and then join the group for five minutes to see if you have fun. The child agreed, which was a domino affect of good things happening. The other children were able to settle down. Story time was the first stop! Every body has to file out of the classroom into the castle for story time. Next stop, the diner! (the discovery museum has a little silver diner inside with fake food ) The kids took turn being a customer and the waiter taking orders, giving orders, getting food for one another. Working together to fill orders, all of sudden you look around and the kids are playing together, looking one another in the eye asking “what would you like” – it is a small victory.

Next stop the medical clinic! During this activity all the kids take turns getting their temperature taken, blood pressure taken, playing the operation game, again all of which facilitates group play, eye contact and manding (asking questions) which are important skills to work on for children with autism. The key is they have fun while doing it.

By the end of the hour everyone has to go back to the classroom and sit in their chairs. Every starts the rhythmic clap for the “good bye song” We all sing, Good bye Johnny, good bye Johnny, good-bye Johnny, we’re sad to see you go! It is a powerful experience to watch the transition from the top of the hour when complete chaos is ensuing to the bottom of the hour when all the kids are sitting at their seat at the table together, participating in the good-bye song. The joyful expression on our parents faces watching their child participate in the Good-bye song is extraordinary.

The class has been successful in helping children on the Autism Spectrum, Aspergers, and PDD-NOS become more proficient in transitioning, scheduling, manding, relating with other peers, eye contact, and generally improving social skills. The really interesting part? They all have a blast!! Call 856-874-1616 for more information about the next class.