The Hidden Curriculum:

Social understanding, Social

Skills, and Belonging in K-12
Settings, Post-secondary, and
Beyond
Stephen Hinkle, M.Ed., Self-Advocate
October 2012

Quotes from people with Autism

I cant speak for other kids, but Id

like to be very clear about my own
feelings. I did not ever want to be
alone. And all those child
psychologists who said, John prefers
to play by himself were dead wrong.
I played by myself because I was a
failure at playing with others
(Robison, 2007, p. 211).
I had no idea how to make friends
or to fit in with other kids at schoolI
know now that the way I behaved
made everything worse, but I didnt
know at the time, and I couldnt help
it (Barron & Barron, 1992, p. 179).

My parents told me not to talk

to strangers. I believed the only
people who were not strangers
were people my parents
introduced me to. For years, I
thought my classmates were
strangers I couldnt talk to
(Hinkle, in Robledo, 2006).

Yes, I struggle in the social realm,

but your assumption that I dont want
relationships or that I cant be a friend
is more disabling.
(Hinkle, in Robledo, 2006)

Our Barriers

Defining Autism

Understanding Social
Interaction Challenges

Preparing school site

teams, teachers,
individuals, parents,
and the community to
provide support

Outdated Practices in
terms of supports for
social interaction

Understanding Social
Interaction Challenges
Skill Acquisition Deficits
and Performance Deficits
Performance Deficit
Factors:

Sensory Sensitivities
Anxiety
Attention and Impulsivity
Memory
Motivation
Self-Efficacy
Sensory and Movement Differences
(Bellini, 2008)

Understanding Social
Interaction Challenges

We need to teach
and support social
interaction
development, not
just expect it.

Learning needs to be
mutual.

The Big Question

Can the hidden curriculum be taught

effectively in a speech therapy setting with
no recreation or leisure instruction?

Answer

Answer: No, you cannot teach social skills without recreation, but if you
look at how many schools teach the hidden curriculum omitting this
element, it is not a laughing matter. It is something that our schools
need to change!
Recreation is a CRUCIAL part of social skills instruction

The Hidden Curriculum

The Hidden Curriculum

Curriculum one is expected to know to

function in society as a good citizen

Often not taught in school in a formal

or direct manner, and instead most
people learn it indirectly or in subtle ways.

Students are expected to learn this

curriculum as an ongoing process at
different levels for different stages of
life

This curriculum often goes on when

teachers are not paying the closest
attention during unstructured times.

What is Extracurricular
Inclusion?

Extracurricular Inclusion is the act

of including everyone in the fun
half of school, and the social
opportunities that go along with it.
Imagine life without such things!
Boring!

Clubs
Dances
Plays
Sports
Community
Activities
Getting to
Understand
Others
Friendships
Relationships

Student Benefits From

Extracurricular Inclusion

Students become more

socially aware of what
is going on in their
community
Builds Friendships and
Relationships
Get to know more of
the customs and
correct behaviors for
common activities in
various settings

Exposes students to the

world of arts, sciences,
fitness, sports,
recreational , and leisure
activities
Students learn the
common culture of being
a student their age
Increases disability
awareness among general
education students.

More Benefits!

Generally improves
academic
performance in many
areas from reading to
math to science from
learning real world
applications and use
of the skills they
learned in class

It encourages
students to fit in
better with their
community, so they
get picked on and
teased less.

Core Element #1 Recreation / Leisure

Recreation / Leisure should be at the CORE of any social skills /
leisure / extracurricular training program
It

should NOT be taken for granted that every kid learns all these
activities on their own with no direct instruction

Some

people do not learn games, sports, arts, or other activities

by inferring from the environment easily and instead need to be
taught directly how to do these activities, one activity at a
time.

Recess, PE, and Recreational Activities

Jungle Gym
Flag Football
Soccer
4-Square
Hopscotch
Scooters
Running
Exercises
Recreational Games
Swings
Monkey Bars
Slides
Jump Rope
Basketball
Volleyball
Tetherball
Kickball
Tennis

Playground & Park Games

Duck-Duck-Goose
Hide and Go Seek
Simon Says
Follow the Leader
Red Light / Green Light
Tag
Freeze Tag
Interactive Dances / Moves
Activities
Parachute
Frisbee

Mother, May I?
Capture the Flag
Cops and Robbers
H-O-R-S-E
Balance Beam
Obstacle Course
Hackey Sack
Relay Races
Juggling
Kite Flying
Tug of War

The Great Outdoors

Hiking
Rock Climbing
Camping
Picnics
Horseback Riding
Bicycle Riding
Boating
Fishing

Ropes / Challenge Course

Skiing
Beach Activities
Nature Trails
Exploring the countryside
Trust Games
Backpacking

Indoor Play Elements

Taking Turns
Rules of Games
Playing Fairly
Being a good host
Understanding Kid Toys
Kid to Kid Talk
Rules of the Playroom
Mess Clean Up

The Culture of Play

Board Games
Card Games
Video Games
Toys
Action Figures
Dolls
Books
Understanding Fictional
Characters

TV Shows
Movies
Playroom Activities
Outdoor Games
Imagination
Kid to Kid Interaction

Game Room Fun

8-Ball
9-Ball
Cut Throat
Ping Pong
Foosball
Bumper Pool

Air Hockey
Video Arcade Games
Video Driving Games
Billiards
Skee Ball

Other Youth Games

Paper-Rock-Scissors
Tic-Tac-Toe
Chess
Checkers
Pick a number
Eeny Meiny Miny Moe

Extending Socialization
Outside the Home into the Community

School Sponsored
Extracurricular
Activities
Non-school
sponsored activities
Going places in the
community with
friends

Early Childhood and Pre-K

Imaginative Play
socialization

Toys
Outdoor play sets
Circle time
Motor Skill Development
Cooperative Play
Little Kid Games
Kid to Kid Play and
Interaction

Extracurricular Inclusion in
Elementary School

Field Trips
Recess
Playground Activities
After School Clubs
Lunchtime Sports
Dances
Carnivals
Field Day
Science Fair

Special Dress Up Days

Talent Shows
Concerts
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts
Open House
Birthday Parties
Pizza Parties
Book Fairs

Extracurricular Inclusion in
Middle School

Clubs
Dances
Sports
Field Trips
6th Grade Camp
Concerts
Drama Productions
Yearbook

Lunchtime Fun
After School Activities
Technical Theatre
Art
Friends Over for the night
Parties
Going Places

Science Fair

Extracurricular Inclusion
In High School

Football Games
Dances
Clubs
Interscholastic Sports
Yearbook
Drama
Choir
Band

Cheerleading
Lunchtime Events
Pep Rallies
ASB / Student Government
Academic League
Prom
Grad Night
And More!

Extracurricular Inclusion
in College

Sports
Theatre Shows
Clubs
Societies
Fraternity / Sorority
Events
Lecturers

Dancing / Clubbing
Residence / Student Life
Workouts and Fitness
Adventure Trips
And More!

Its Important for Kids to Know How to Get

Involved with Extracurricular Activities!

Kids should be taught there is

so much more to school
than just than reading,
writing, and arithmetic!
Kids should learn where to
go and how to get involved
with extracurricular
activities, and staff should
help the kids if needed.
Kids with disabilities should
not be excluded from
participation in
extracurricular activities.

School Spirit Activities and

Lunchtime Fun

Twin Day
Pajama Day
Pep Rallies
Assemblies
Guest Lecturers
3-Legged Race
Music at Lunch
Bean Bag Toss
Prize Wheel

Dress Up Day
Food Fair / Special Food Sales
Holiday Related Special Events
Lunchtime Sports
Staff/Student Switch Day
Variety Shows
Air Bands
Talent Shows
Special Lunch/Recess Games

Common Party Activities

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

Bingo
Board Games
Parlor Games
Role Playing & Strategy games
Dancing
Barbeque
Swimming
Jacuzzi

Small Talk Conversations

with others and getting to
know each other
Formal Dinner
Lounging in the backyards
Holiday or Family Related
Celebrations / Traditions
Gift Exchanges

Community Hangouts

Movie Theaters
Video Arcades
Skating Rinks
Recreation Centers
Parks
Swimming Pools
Boys & Girls Clubs
YMCA / YWCA / JCC
Coffee Houses
Sports Stadiums &
Coliseums

Fast Food Restaurants

Ice Cream Shops
Sit Down Restaurants
Dance Clubs
Teen Centers
Amusement Parks
Churches
Libraries
Bowling Alleys
Shopping Malls

Community Youth Activities

Boys & Girls Clubs

Church Groups
Youth Sports Leagues,
such as:
Little League
Youth Soccer
Parks & Recreation
Youth Basketball
Pop Warner
CIF

Dance Studios
4-H
Boy & Girl Scouts
Theater Groups
YMCA / YWCA /JCC
Summer Camp Programs
Youth Groups
Martial Arts

The Amusement Park World

Roller Coasters
Carnival Rides
Carnival Games:
Basketball Shooting
Bean Bag Toss
Whac-a-mole
Ball Toss
Etc
Coin Operated Entertainment
Devices

Go-Karts
Boats
Batting Cages
Adventure Rides
Water Rides
Stage Shows
Food
Souvenir Items
Themes and stories

Skills to Perform These Activities

are Commonly Learned Outside
of a Textbook!

Arts and Crafts

Music
Dancing
Martial Arts
Swimming
Fitness
Sports
Creativity
Social Relationships

Cooking
Outdoor Activities
Board Games
Entertainment
Computers
Hobbies
Who says these and
more arent educational
or should not be taught
because they are not
on a standardized test?

Out of Home Activities

Essential Elements

Know what is out there in your school and community

Understanding the protocols for getting involved
Kids need to know where to turn for help for an activity
they dont understand
Teachers, parents, and therapists should assist kids
who need help in school spirit / extracurricular activities
Learning the skills and protocols for the various
extracurricular settings kids may encounter
Making Friends and Building Community

Core Element 2: Manners & Etiquette

Each social environment has a

specific set of social rules for
the proper behavior of it

It should not be taken for

granted that you can simply
place a person in an environment
and they automatically know
what to do in that environment.

Generation Me
According to some national
statistics, there is a generation
which is out of touch with the
social norms and common
courtesies and is focused on
themselves.
Kids today are:
More original in their ways of
doing things
Often lacking the manners and
customs of yesterday
Not taught correct etiquette
Think they can be all they want to
be
Are more into the wants and
needs of themselves than to others

Conversation Skills

Eye Contact
Taking Turns
On Topic
Topic Changes
Reciprocity
Smooth Flow
Maintaining Ones Interest

Types:
Casual
Formal
Banter
Etc
Appropriate Language for
the Situation
Sentence Structure
Pauses

Subtle Language of the

Social Environment

Body Language
Gestures
Behaviors and
Procedures for
various social
situations
Subtle Cues
Eye Contact
Non-verbal
recognition of peer
relationships

Understanding peoples
feelings
Non-verbal communication
and messages
Showing someone you are
interested in them
Giving your attention to a
person or thing
Tone of voice and voice
volume
Interaction with other
peers in ones own age
group

Banter, Jokes, and Humor

How banter
conversations
differ in terms of
conversation
protocol

Understanding the
real meanings of
joke and slang
phrases

Understand the slang

names that people
sometimes use and
which are good to be
called
Understand how to
make good banter and
what is funny and
what is not in context
Understand the flow of
banter conversations
Know which phrases
are good and which
are derogatory

Recommended Etiquette
Knowledge for Children Ages 6-10

Common Courtesies
Table Manners
What do in specific
situations related to
childrens events
The correct way to invite
another child to a school or
other kids event
Correct Dress for various
types of casual events
How to carry on a
conversation between 2 or
more people
When and when not
something is a joke or
slang, and when are such
jokes appropriate
Proper Chivalry

Correct Rules for various

common social situations
How to be ones friend
Who is and who is not a
stranger in regards to
people outside of ones
family
How to invite other kids
they know to parties and
other kids events
How to distinguish teasing
from being serious
How to break up and
handle when someone is
no longer your friend
When it is appropriate to
tell adults of bad
experiences and when will it
hurt you socially.

Recommended Etiquette
Knowledge for Children Ages 10-13

Understand meal courses

Know how to plan events
with friends such as
invitations to community
events and sleepovers.
Know how to work in a
group and get along kindly
How to clean up messes
Know some dancing
routines for school dances
Know when to thank and
give gifts to others
Know how to maintain a
friendship with someone
Show social graces properly

How to help others

Know audience stuff such
as clapping, quietness, and
others for assemblies
Know appropriate
conversation skills
Know what the school
activities and what school
spirit is about
Be able to function at many
youth oriented community
events and youth programs
How to have respect for
others personal property

Recommended Etiquette
Topics for Children Ages 13-17

Introduction to dating for

school dances and other
events
Dress Codes for more
formal events
Behaviors for various
types of common events
in their community, both
casual and formal.
Introduction to Job
Ethics
More close relationships
such as boyfriends /
girlfriends
Learn Basic Skills to
learn how to live on their
own for short lengths of
time (such as babysitting
and camp)

Telephone Ethics
Internet Ethics such as
privacy, correct
communication, safety,
copyright, etc
How to make a
presentation to an
audience
The social culture of
teenage life
How not to cross the line
between being an teen
and an adult
How to represent yourself
without an adult present
when going places on your
own in your community

Adult Etiquette

Correct Behavior For the

Workforce
Understand formal events
such as weddings,
showers, banquets,
corporate events,
conferences, and others
Understand correct dress
for various situations
How to respond to
invitations
How to write letters
correctly
Tipping who gets tipped
and who doesnt and why
How to make Small Talk
in conversations
How to get involved in
activities in the community
they are living in

Long Term
Relationships
Dealing with Clients
Spouse and Roommate
Cooperation
How to get along with
others who dont agree
with you on many
issues
How to deal with
financial issues
Basic skills for living on
their own
How one should leave a
room they way they
found it
Dating and intimate
relationships
Sexuality

Community Etiquette

Activity Safety
Obeying the rules of
the various
establishments you
visit
Ride Safety
Using transportation
systems
Following social
rules in public
situations

Respecting public
property
Knowing where you
are allowed to go
and where you are
not
Curfews
Playing fairly by the
rules in terms of
sportsmanship

Formal Dining Etiquette

Understanding multiple
course meals
Correct Utensils for the
correct courses
Toasting
Saying the Blessing
Small Talk
No Cell Phone or Text
usage during meals

Waiting for the host to be

seated and start eating
first
The Correct way to pass
dishes across the table
Asking to be excused
before getting up

Being a Good Host

Deciding what
to do, where,
and what time
Including your
friends in those
activities
Invitations
Food
Considerations
Sleeping
Arrangements
for overnight
events

Activity
Considerations
and needs
Budget
Entertaining
others
Making it fun for
all
Other issues and
concerns
Reservations,
advance tickets,
etc

Lets Dance!

Fast Dances
Slow Dancing
Swing Dance
Common Dance Moves
Dances to Specific Songs such
as:
Y-M-C-A
Macaraina
Electric Slide
Music from specific
cultures / events
etc

Ballroom Dancing
Modern Dance
Partner Dances
Group Dances
Protocol for asking someone to
dance with you or to find a partner
Twirling and hand signals
Partner cues / who is in control

Manners and Etiquette

Essential Elements

It is important that every kid knows the social

rules for each environment they encounter

People with special needs may not generalize

the rules from one environment to another

It is a good idea to teach people the social rules

and then let them practice in a real setting

Factors that I Believe Contributed to

the Manners Decline in Society Today

People working longer

hours
Less formal Dress
today in the workplace
Less Family Meals
Together
Not as many formal
events required in
todays lifestyle
Corporate Greed and
impoliteness in
Customer Service
Bad Ethics in TV,
Movies, Radio, and
other types of media

Breakup of the Family

Unit
Church Attendance is
down
School is more
competitive than ever
before, partly due to NCLB
The Emerging Digital
World and communicating
from a distance has
become mainstream
Lawyers and others so
scared that everything
that is a risk or
challenge needs to be
restricted due to fear of
being sued.

Bullying

Dont just ignore the bully

Show them you are standing up
for your rights
Dont be a victim of their actions
Try to leave the situation if you
can
Hold your anger
Tell an adult or the police if you
are threatened with violence
Try to avoid confrontation with
the person if possible in future
situations

Core Element 3: Friendships

and Relationships

It isnt always friends at first sight for some people with special
needs, instead friendship could be very hard work and a learning
experience for them.

Some kids may not be born knowing the skills to be a friend

Many could benefit from direct instruction in friendships and

relationships.

Friendships get more complex at the teenage and adult level when
intimacy and sexuality become involved.

Friendships
Some people have no friends because they
were never taught the skills to be a friend
Quote from an online discussion board, when I asked the question,
should social and friendship skills be taught in school?. The
class was a class for students learning to be teachers at San Diego
State University.

Acquaintances Versus Friends

Acquaintances:

Are People in your

life who you dont
associate with on
a personal level,
except through
certain settings,
places, or events
(for example, coworkers, people in
your classes at
school that you
dont hang out with,
people paid to be in
your life, clients,
etc)

Friends:

Friends are people who

trust each other, and
have relationships with
you outside of the
context and place you
met them.

Friend Relationships are

the type that extend into
the non-work realm on a
personal level.

Friends never receive

payment, compensation,
or reward for doing
things nice to each other.

A True Friend is:

Someone that you

can trust, and they
can trust you back
Someone who
cares for you and
you care for them
back
a person in ones life
who is not family,
and who is not paid
to be there.
Someone who is
there for you in
times of need

A person you
associate with on a
personal level for
pleasure,
recreation,
kindness, and
social well being

A person you can

talk to for a different
opinion on issues in
your personal life
and share stories
together

Skills to be a Friend

Extending a
Relationship outside
the context you met
them
Showing them you
care for them
Inviting them to social
events
Know the ins and outs
of friend to friend
discussion
Learn to get to know
each other and learn
about personal
stories, interests,
hobbies, family
background, etc and
how to keep up on
new events

Know how to share

personal stories
together
Show Kindness
Show Compassion
Nurture the
Relationship
Know How to Have
Fun Together
Create Positive
Laughs
How to Play and do
group activities
together in a variety of
environments
Communication Skills
How to be open to
trying new things

Intimate Relationships

Putting your
arms around
someone
Hugs
Kissing on the
cheek
Exclusivity
Greater extent of
trust and
personal sharing
Dating Level
Relationships
Showing Love
and Romance

Boyfriends /
Girlfriends
Showing one you
love them
Different from a
normal friend
relationship
Sexuality at the
upper ages
Often the one that
goes with someone
to the most formal
events

Parents vs Schools Responsibility

To Teach Social Skills?
Whos responsibility is
it to teach kids social
and friendship skills?
Some will say the
school, and others
say it is the parents
responsibility. I
personally think it is
both.

Schools should play an

important role in teaching
social skills because not all
parents are experts at this
themselves. Also, not
everyone lives in an ideal
two parent family, and
everyones home culture is
different. Also, teachers
should recognize when one
has a deficit and not let one
go through school year after
year without doing
something to teach it.

First, understand the barriers

they may face

Student is not aware that the activities exist,

much less know what they are, or how to get
involved
Lack of behavior knowledge to participate in the
activities
Student gets no invitations to events from peers
or classmates
Student does not know if they can participate or
not, given their disabilities

Common Barriers Related to School

Based Extracurricular Activities

Low Expectations
District will not fund aides or supports because it is overtime
Teaching the student the skills needed to participate in the
activity
GPA / Academic Requirements
Parents Scared of child participating
Liability / Insurance / Safety issues

Remember: IDEA says all kids with disabilities have full access to all
extracurricular activities!

#1, Help Them Get Involved!

Teach them about the many activities that are

available to them, and when they meet and what
they are
Get another student, friend, or community member
who is really involved in the fun to introduce them
Assign them an activity they love as a homework
assignment (In my case, I was assigned to go to
the homecoming dance, and that night changed by
life!)

What can be done to overcome

the barriers?

Teach children social and friendship skills such

as interaction, relationships, manners, etc as
part of the visible curriculum
Educate the students about what the different
activities are, and encourage participation, and
how to get involved
Teach students the skills needed to participate
in different activities
Adults should get to know the youth culture
Help kids get involved and fit in in their school
culture

The Speech Therapy Vocabulary only

model of social skills training should be
abandoned ASAP and replaced with a
model based on the following:

Direct Instruction in:

Recreation
Etiquette & Manners
Friendships
Relationships
Conversation Skills

What can be done to overcome

the barriers?

Get to know a students interests, and point them

in the right direction with activities they might
like, and offer to take them to clubs, sports,
dances, etc that they might like.

Get students who are involved in a lot of

extracurricular activities to learn the Student
culture, and what it takes to be a cool kid in the
school, and ask them to help get them involved.

What can be done to overcome

the barriers?
Include children with disabilities in electives
such as PE, music, drama,art, industrial
arts shop, consumer family Science, etc
Explain to them what assemblies and
school spirit type activities are for, and
introduce them to the customs and
terminology

Digging Deeper

Communication
Body Language
Conversation Skills
Character
Manners
Etiquette
Social Graces
Friendships
Social Relationships
Recreation
Leisure
Fitness
Arts
Creativity
Rules of common games and sports
To Have Fun!!!!

What are the warning

signs that might
indicate a child is
receiving a failing
grade in the hidden
curriculum?
You can get a 4.0 GPA
and still fail the hidden
curriculum!

A Little Hint for you: You dont usually see these

signs on a childs report card!

Signs Teachers and Parents Should

Watch For That May Indicate a Child has a
Social Skills Deficit

Child is always by
himself/herself at
lunch time

Child participates in very

few or no extracurricular
or community activities

Child has very few

or no friends his/her
own age

Child does not

know the common
things of youth
culture of their
peers know

Child has trouble fitting in

with other children in
school

Poor performance in
reading and processing
of narrative/story type
reading, while
understanding factual
material very well

Has trouble
connecting with
others in their
community

What is the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities

Act (ADA)

Federal civil rights law that prohibits

discrimination against individuals
with disabilities

Requires programs to make

reasonable modifications for
children with disabilities

Disability Laws and Activities

The Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA)
is a Federal civil rights law that
prohibits discrimination
against individuals with
disabilities

ADA Requires programs to make

reasonable modifications for
children with disabilities

Schools are prohibited under

IDEA from denying people with
special needs access to school
sponsored extracurricular
activities

ADA covers many

places of recreation
and public access
including:
Amusement Parks
Camps
Gymnasiums
Golf Courses
Malls
Movie Theaters
Parks
Performing Arts Venues
Pools
Restaurants
Stadiums
Stores
Zoos
And Many Others!

School Policy Recommendations

Teach chaperones, PTAs, and other activity staff how

to handle people with disabilities in the extracurricular
setting, and have the activities in accessible rooms.
Aides and paraprofessionals should have
extracurricular support as part of their job description,
if needed
Teachers and office staff should do whatever it takes
to prepare students for extracurricular activities
Physical Plant, PTA, ASB, vendors, and the like
should design and setup extracurricular activities in
accessible settings if possible

School Policy Continued

Security and other

supervision staff should look
for the warning signs of kids
who may have a social skills
deficit at lunch, recess,
before school and after
school
Teachers should make it a
priority to teach social skills,
etiquette, and how to be a
friend in school
Parents should reinforce
good manners and social
skills at home

Kids should be taught how to

speak out if they see social
issues in their school or
community, and adults should
let their voice be heard

When a child has a social

skills deficit, it should be
acted on ASAP, because it
can harm them later on.

All teachers should

remember that learning the
hidden curriculum is just as
important as learning the
academic curriculum

Even More School Policy

PE Teachers should teach

the most common games &
sports played at recess so
every kid learns them
starting in elementary school

Middle school PE & High

School PE should
include a lesson in
dancing

Direct instruction in the

extracurricular and school
spirit activities should be
taught at all levels of
schooling

High school students

should be given a lesson
in formal dining etiquette
and business etiquette

Policy Recommendations to
Encourage Socialization

The number of special

education rooms should be
minimized and if any exist they
should be placed in the
CENTER of the school.

Special education students

should get the same lunch
time, passing time, etc as
normal students and walking
and eating with normal friends
should be encouraged.

Policies such as early

dismissal for special ed,
separate exit doors for special
ed, etc should be discouraged

Special Education students

should be allowed to sit with
their non-disabled peers at
lunch time (no separate
tables)

More Ideas to encourage

socialization

Special Education
students should be
encouraged to walk
with peers as opposed
to paraprofessionals
when possible at
passing time when
possible.

No child with special needs

should be turned away from the
extracurricular program based
on the reason of transportation.
If a school bus is not available,
consider other alternatives like:

Walking
Parent pick up
Friend Drives
Carpool
And Others

Community Policy
Recommendations

Work with families to

implement these skills in
their family culture
Encourage children to
join community activities
and learn where typical
places kids hang out in
their community and go
to them sometimes.

Teach the skills needed to

perform community
activities
Students need to be
encouraged to use the
skills they learn in class
outside the classroom

Preparing School Site Teams, Parents,

Individuals, and Community

Who?

What?

Ideally, everyone who comes into contact with student on a

regular basis
Multidisciplinary teams
Social skills programs that targeted specific social skills were
more effective than programs that focused on more global social
functioning (Quinn et al., 1999).
Social skills instruction should match the type of skill deficits.

When?

Provided more frequently and intensively than 30 hours over 1012 weeks (Gresham et al., 2001).

Hidden Curriculum Assessment

There are many ways

to assess kids on the
hidden curriculum

To accurately assess
the hidden curriculum
effectively, you need to
think outside the box!

Assessments to Avoid!

These and other norm referenced

assessments suffer from many fatal
flaws:
Most ask how often does the
child do on a scale of 0-3
Results in an age rating or
number score that does not tell if
the child actually knows the
steps to do these activities
Most of these tests assess social
skills from a communication and
behavior management
perspective

A totally new approach is

needed for assessing the
hidden
curriculum! Observations are also a
DIRECT assessment

key part of this assessment

that need to observe
extracurricular settings and
school spirit settings.

needs to be a key part

(tests should go to the CHILD
as opposed to the parents or
teacher)

Tests should look at if the kid

knows the actual skills of each
specific activity based on a
task analysis of the activity as
opposed to generalizations.

Assessment needs to look

beyond the communication
aspect of social skills.

Assessment

Testing in this realm should be

CRITERION referenced as opposed to
norm referenced

The results of such assessment should be

used as potential skills to improve on.

Other flaws of indirect

assessments in social skills

Parents can easily mistake not wanting to

participate for the child doesnt know how to
participate.

Sometimes we take it for granted that the

child will know the steps to participate in the
activity in question and this may not be the
case at all.

Can you pass my sample quiz?

1) How would you explain the protocol for knowing

when to start clapping at a lecture, concert, or
performing arts production in an auditorium, cafeteria,
or other room used for large group audiences?

2) Is it kind to show respect for the opposing team

and congratulate them when they do something well
or out of the ordinary even though you are not rooting
for them to win?

My Quiz Continued

3) What determines the difference between

whether you should do a fast dance or a
slow dance at a school dance and why?

4) What is the protocol for inviting a friend or

classmate to a play date, to your house or to
an event?

Students Will Thank You!

For introducing and encouraging the fun side
of school to them, they will thank you, and it will
probably expand and open them to a whole new
world that they may have never explored very
much.
It will also give them a reason to want to stay in
school, and do well on their academics.

Online Resources You Can Use

Operation Respect:
http://www.operationrespect.org
About.com:
http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/social
skills/Social_Skills_Development_Strategies_to_
Teach_Social_Skills.htm
Emily Post Institute: http://www.emilypost.com
Manner Smith: http://www.mannersmith.com
Polite Child: http://www.politechild.com
Google Social Skills and Disabilities and a
host of resources will appear

Good Reference Books

The Hidden Curriculum by Brenda Smith-Myles

The Guide to Good Manners for Kids by Cindy
Post-Senning
Teen Manners by Cindy Post-Senning
Teaching Social Skills to kids by Tom Dowd
New Manners for New Times by Letitia
Baldrige

References
Barnard, J., Harvey, V., Potter, D. and Prior, A. (2001) Ignored or ineligible?: The reality for adults with autism
spectrum disorders. The National Autistic Society report for Autism Awareness Week 2001.
Barron, J., & Barron, S. (1992) Theres a boy in here. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Bellini, S. (2008). Building Social Relationship: A systematic approach to teaching social interaction skills to
children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and other social difficulties. Shawnee Mission,
Kansas: Autism Asperger Publishing.
Biklen, D. (2005). Autism and the myth of the person alone. New York: New York University Press.
Donnellan, A., Leary, M., & Robledo, J. (2006). I cant get started: Stress and the role of movement differences
for individuals with the autism label. In G. Baron, J. Groden, G. Groden, & L. Lipsitt (Eds.), Stress and Coping
in Autism (pp. 205-245). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Goode, D. (1992). Who is Bobby?: Ideology and method in the discovery of a Down syndrome persons
competence. In P.M.
Ferguson, D.L. Ferguson, and S.J. Taylor (Eds.), Interpreting disability: A qualitative
reader (pp.197-212). New York: Teachers College Press.
Gresham, F., Sugai, G., & Horner, R. (2001). Interpreting outcomes of social skills training for students with
high-incidence disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 67, 331-344.
Hale, M. & Hale, C. (1999). I had not means to shout! Bloomington, IN: First Books.

References
Kluth, P. (2010). Yourre going to love this kid!: Teaching students with autism in the
inclusive classroom. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
Leary, M., & Hill, D. (1996). Moving on: Autism and movement disturbance. Mental
Retardation, 34(1) 39-53.
Patterson [Robledo], J. (2002). Social behavior of individuals with autism found in firsthand accounts. Masters thesis, University of
San Diego.
Quinn, M., Kavale, K., Mathur, S., Rutherford Jr., R., & Forness, S. (1999). A metaanalysis of social skills interventions for student
with emotional and behavioral
disorders. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 7, 54-64.
Robinson, J. (2007). Look me in the eye: My life with Aspergers. New York: Crown
Publishers.
Robledo, J. (2006). An exploration of supportive relationships in the lives of academically
successful individuals with autism. Doctoral dissertation, University of San Diego.
Robledo, J., & Donnellan, A. (2008). Essential properties of supportive relationship from
the perspective of academically successful individuals with autism. Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities 46(4), 299-310.
Williams, D. (1992). Nobody nowhere. London: Doubleday.

My Contact Info
Stephen Hinkle
P.O. Box 420496
San Diego, CA 92142
(858) 603-0287
[email protected]
http://www.stephen-hinkle.com
I am available for speaking engagements and trainings.