What is the most effective way to integrate social skills training into the general curriculum for a student with autism spectrum disorder?

What is the most effective way to integrate social skills training into the general curriculum for a student with autism spectrum disorder?

• A. Incorporate individual counseling services into the student's IEP.
• B. Establish clear expectations for appropriate classroom behavior.
• C. Assign the student a one-on-one aide to model appropriate behavior.
• D. Include peer-to-peer supports in the general education class as part of the student's IEP.

Answer: (D)

Integrating social skills training into the general curriculum for a student with autism spectrum disorder is most effectively achieved through peer-to-peer supports. This approach allows the student to engage with their classmates in natural settings, fostering social interactions and relationships that are crucial for developing social competencies. By facilitating opportunities for collaboration and communication with peers, the student can practice social skills in real-life contexts, which can enhance learning and retention. Peer-to-peer supports often create an inclusive environment, where students with autism can observe and learn appropriate social behaviors from their peers. This not only aids the student with autism but also promotes empathy and understanding among all students, contributing to a positive classroom culture. The direct involvement of peers can offer a more relatable and less intimidating form of social modeling compared to methods like individual counseling or one-on-one aide support, which may not provide the same level of interactive social practice. While options involving individual counseling, behavior expectations, or one-on-one aides can play roles in supporting a student’s development, they tend to lack the relational dynamic and social practice opportunities that are essential for embedding social skills within everyday interactions in the classroom.

Integrating social skills training into the general curriculum for a student with autism spectrum disorder is most effectively achieved through peer-to-peer supports. This approach allows the student to engage with their classmates in natural settings, fostering social interactions and relationships that are crucial for developing social competencies. By facilitating opportunities for collaboration and communication with peers, the student can practice social skills in real-life contexts, which can enhance learning and retention.

Peer-to-peer supports often create an inclusive environment, where students with autism can observe and learn appropriate social behaviors from their peers. This not only aids the student with autism but also promotes empathy and understanding among all students, contributing to a positive classroom culture. The direct involvement of peers can offer a more relatable and less intimidating form of social modeling compared to methods like individual counseling or one-on-one aide support, which may not provide the same level of interactive social practice.

While options involving individual counseling, behavior expectations, or one-on-one aides can play roles in supporting a student’s development, they tend to lack the relational dynamic and social practice opportunities that are essential for embedding social skills within everyday interactions in the classroom.