Public Group Observation

In this group there were no disruptive members. I filled the role of an observer, I offered feedback at the end of the session. The counselor filled the role of standard setter. There was an encourager, a harmonizer, an expediter, and a follower.

The researchers goal was to know if the effects of small-group reading interventions implemented positive behavior in support model, on elementary students that show any emotional and behavior disorders or that do not show any emotional and behavior disorders. The following are the research questions they addressed: (a) the differences in reading instruction in a general classroom for students at risk and to compare schools that combine behavior/reading risk. (b) differential effects with small-group instruction. (c) how do any of the observable differences translate to the outcome of students’ growth in reading.

I decided for my social observation the mall would be a good place to start. I came there on a Friday evening when there should be plenty of people to watch. I also sat in the Barnes and Noble café after that to observe. I expected to see a lot of people shopping and conversing. A few things did stand out to me within the few hours I was there. Some things I didn’t expect to see. We are expected to behave a certain way in public determined by our culture as to what is acceptable. Some people stay well within the lines while some might stray outside the norms but never too far typically. Usually the ones to travel to the extremes are adolescents and teenagers. This is what I observed.

I observed the interviewee as a concerned and caring mother who wanted the best for her child with autism. She was educated enough to know it was a process beyond her knowledge. The mother is a young Caucasian adult with a college education, she allowed the process and was opened minded with what the coordinators and specialists had to say. Stating, that it could be difficult to get resources because the client is unsure where he or she is to go and turn to. Autism is a disorder of social interaction, communication and behavior. Autism typically manifests itself within the first three years of life and there is usually cognitive

Silberman advances his argument by denigrating the "dehumanizing" advertising methods and scrutinizing the co-founders and PR messaging about the astonishing statements they have made in the past. For instance, co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright have frequently referred to children on the spectrum, including their own grandson, as "missing." Their insinuation that autistic people are incomplete, lost, or not who they're supposed to be may arise an emotional response such as disgust, anger, and/or confusion. More importantly, for representative figures of the organization to use such degrading terminology lowers the Autism Speaks's ethos as a whole. Silberman further mentions Autism Speak's 2009 video "I Am Autism," which "portrayed autism as a creepy stalker," and their Public Relations messaging that disseminated the erroneous "misconception" that autism is a "destroyer of marriages." The audience is likely to question Autism Speak's ulterior motives and rethink what the organization symbolizes. Personifying autism as a looming evil that works to demolish families demonstrates how little consideration Autism Speaks has towards autistic individuals. Moreover, they're contributing to the stigma and discrimination autistics already have to face on a daily basis. Based on the evidence, Autism Speaks appears to be act more as a detriment than

Autism and special education is a topic that will never go away. Over the years autism has been the topic of major debate, both locally and nationally. In 2005, Bob and Suzanne Wright start the non-profit organization Autism Speaks Inc. (www.autismspeaks.org). The Wrights were compelled to start this non-profit due to their grandchild being diagnosed with autism. Beginning with a twenty-five million dollar investment the organization is leading the way in autism awareness, research, and resources. Their non-profit is backed by numerous nationally recognized autism organizations. Autism Speaks Inc. is backed by three leading autism organizations, NAAR, the CAN, and the ACRE. Autismspeaks.org has an expansive library of helpful resources regarding autism, the foundation has an impactful mission statement, and they have a board of directors that includes individuals who have been diagnosed with autism.

Pass on the information you gain about ASD to families having an Autistic patient in order to help them understand this condition and not beat/abuse the patient in any case.

I enjoy helping parents make informed decisions that are in the best interest of their child and their entire family. As a facilitator of support groups for parents who have children on the autism spectrum, it is vital that I am able to connect with them in order to comfort and assist them (Clayton, 2014). By attending conferences and trainings myself, I become more confident in relaying the new information I have learned to my

Autism Speaks. (2012). The Federal Response to Autism. Retrieved June 17, 2012, from HYPERLINK "http://www.autismspeaks.org" http://www.autismspeaks.org.

Based on the video, the concept of Facilitated Communication for individuals diagnosed with autism or mental retardation was seen as an innovative medical advancement during the early 1990s (APA.org) as it allowed individuals to use a letter board in order to address their ideas and thoughts with the assistance of a facilitator. The treatment program was seen as revolutionary in many ways as it allowed people to see autistic individuals as having posses the same level of knowledge and intelligence (APA.org). Furthermore, the new method allowed autistic students to participate in classes and regular schoolwork with their peers. Facilitated communication was seen as a significant progression within methodical research. However, many researchers

I decided to visit with three people about their research poster projects. The first poster I visited was called, “These Shining Lives” by Elise Tauer. She discussed how she helped produce the lights used in musical performances, such as plays. Elise went into detail about how important lights are in plays because they help the audience see the performance and add effects to the acts. She discussed how different forms of lights are used for different areas to give a mood for that area. For example, there was a house in a recent play that had pink lights showing through the window to give the house a warm feeling. She also focused on projections used throughout the play and figured out how long each projection should be. I asked Elise why it is important to have lights in a

Groups talk about goals in different ways, using different words. Some groups have major and minor goals or meta- and micro-goals; others divide goals into mission, purpose or goal, and objectives, while other groups talk about aims and expectations. A group is strengthened to the extent it has clear goals and all members know what their roles are in helping to achieve them (Dimock and Kass, 2008, p.62-63). My placement is currently in the Mental Health field and as mental health workers we have groups that are organized to promote to mental health of all and to support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

The intention of this research paper was to investigate a specific activity group for youth on the autism spectrum. The group runs concurrently with a parent group and is funded through a respite funding provision.

Most parents feel they being judged by their child's autistic disorder. In the study, was a solid tendency for mothers to feel more stigmatized than the fathers. Parents with children with extensively severe disability as well as children under twelve years old of age, were more likely to perceive themselves as stigmatized by others (Gray, 1993).

As for individual students, there were a few unique individuals, as well as a few students with special needs. In Mr. Leonhardt’s class, there was a very enthusiastic 2nd grade girl who hugged each one of us as she entered the classroom. He tended to her needs by having her sit next to him during class, and calmed her down when she started to get upset. Mrs. Davidson had a partially-deaf student with a cochlear implant, and the cochlear implant connected to a speaking device that Mrs. Davidson wore during the class period. In Mrs. Pollard’s class, a student with special needs who did not have the hand-eye coordination to play the recorder instead used a keyboard with his own headphones in order to play the same song that the students who were