autism feature
school support
A program that helps primary
school children with autism build
emotional and social resilience –
and teaches their classmates about
the condition – has been developed
how to crack the codes of emotion students to include and support
management, problem-solving each other. Students are also
and friendships in a fun, engaging partnered with a classmate and are
way,” said Dr Renae Beaumont, who charged with helping their partner
developed the SAS program. in areas that they struggle with,
by researchers at the Autism
Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
and to celebrate their strengths,”
“We have clear evidence that the
Dr Beaumont said.
Secret Agent Society program is
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Small effective in small groups and this is A step-by-step problem-solving
Group Program is a breakthrough translating well into a larger whole formula, the D.E.C.O.D.E.R, can
multi-media social skills program classroom setting.” be applied to academic problems
used with 8 to 12-year-old children
and social challenges and includes
with a range of social and emotional Incorporating additional content the ‘Top 10 negotiation tactics’ for
challenges. Drawing on the strong to promote peer inclusion and working and playing with others.
evidence base of the SAS Small acceptance, the SAS Whole Group Program, Autism CRC Classroom Program includes “Students and staff learn how to
researchers have developed a an education session for peers recognise and manage emotions,
classroom program to benefit even about autism and how they can solve problems and make friends and
more children. support their classmates on the keep them. The program provides a
autism spectrum. With a better common language to help students
The research team, from The understanding and appreciation of support each other to apply these
University of Queensland, has difference, children learn key steps skills,” Dr Beaumont said.
worked with staff from all school for talking and playing with others systems to identify priorities, the in a friendly way. The ‘Bully-Guard Teachers involved in the first trial
result being a whole of classroom Body Armour’ provides a step-by- have reported a positive response
program that is user-friendly for step formula for preventing and from both the students and their
staff and engaging for students. managing bullying and teasing. parents.
“It is hoped that by expanding the “Throughout the program, a class- “We have worked with school staff
delivery of SAS, all children can learn wide rewards system encourages to ensure that we have developed a
program that can be implemented
as part of the current Australian
curriculum. Following the 2017
trial, we hope to make the program
available to all Grade 5 students
to support them to feel happier,
calmer and braver to achieve their
best,” said Dr Beaumont.
Find out more about the Secret
Agent Society here: sst-institute.net
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autism feature
linkonline.com.au