1. Research on Social Skills with Teens in Inclusive Settings Presented by: Christina Whalen, PhD, BCBA-D

2. Community-based pre-employment, social development, and independence building program Serves teens with ASD and neuro- typical peer mentors with a 1:1 ratio Participants adhere to social rules and procedures similar to those found in the workplace or the community setting Generates awareness, promotes understanding and acceptance through community venues Autism CommunityWorks ®

3. Program Goals To increase ASD awareness and sensitivity of community partner staff members and neuro- typical peer mentors. To successfully demonstrate the employability and valued skill sets of individuals with ASDs. To help participants find full time jobs/careers or pursue higher education that utilizes skills developed through Autism CommunityWorks ®

4. Impact Since its inception, CommunityWorks® has: Served 356 teens with ASDs Created awareness and understanding for 254 teen mentors Trained 354 staff members and volunteers at over 50 community sites Logged more than 37,960 community service hours

5. Program Structure Site Coordinator Facilitator

6. Program Structure Schedules Goals Timing devices Rotations & zones Data collection Weekly parent contact Report cards

7. LibraryWorks ® GardenWorks ® AZ Diamondbacks GoodDeedWorks ® PowerWorks ® PetWorks ® TheatreWorks ® CommunityWorks ® Programs

8. Tag books, CDs, DVDs Organize books, CDs, DVDs Reshelf books, CDs, DVDs Process Discards Special Projects LibraryWorks ®

9. Planting Fertilizing Watering Weeding Rose pruning Plant Care Special Projects GardenWorks ®

10. Preparing basic food boxes Sorting clothing donations Removing invasive grass species from city parks Completing art projects for non- profits Assembling hygiene kits for the homeless Tending a community garden Cleaning, stocking, and preparing transitional housing AZ Diamondbacks GoodDeedWorks ®

11. Sites – Homeward Bound – Hacienda Healthcare – United Food Bank – Habitat for Humanity – Phoenix Herpetological Society – Phoenix Revitalization Corporation – St. Mary’s Food Bank – Phoenix Weedwackers – Desert Botanical Gardens – Roosevelt Row Community Garden – Kids Need to Read AZ Diamondbacks GoodDeedWorks ®

12. 41 different locations since Fall, 2011 Data show Fall- Summer

13. Video: Good Deed Works ®

14. PowerWorks ® Local YMCA’s and SpoFit Cardio Zumba Free weights Swimming Circuit training Yoga Team sports Karate Cycling Hiking Nutrition/Health Social Rules and Safety Self-Management

15. Video: PowerWorks ®

16. PetWorks ® Animal care Dog, rescues Phoenix Herpetological Society Phoenix Zoo AZ Animal Welfare Save the Animals Walk

17. Video: PetWorks ®

18. TheatreWorks ® Phoenix Theatre* Summer Musical Theatre Program: Ages 12-16 years Taught by professional directors Nine 1-week programs with a performance on Friday Spotlight Youth Theatre* Summer Musical Theatre Program: Ages 10-14 years Taught by professional directors Three 3-week programs with a performance at the end of each session Arizona Actors Academy* After-School Program: Ages 10-19 years Taught by professional actors/directors Weekly sessions for 14 weeks with a performance at the end of each session Childsplay Theatre Improv Workshops: Adults Ages 16+ Taught by professional actors & directors 7-week program with a showcase performance for family & friends * With typical peers in theatres in the community

19. Video: TheatreWorks ®

20. Leadership Peer Advisory Board CommunityWorks Outstanding Leader Scholarship Opportunities for continued involvement

22. Participants with ASD Age Number of Clients 137 149 1512 1614 1714 1812 198 TOTAL76 Age range13-19 Average Age16.1 Gender Male59 Female17 Ethnicity Caucasian57 African American5 Hispanic12 Asian2

23. Vineland Scores SiteNCommunication Daily Living SkillsSocializationMotor Skills Adapt. Behav. Comp Library Works316968639765 Garden Works964 589861 Good Deed Works1174716510468 Power Works176966639564 68

24. Peer Volunteers Age Number of Peers 121 133 143 152 1613 1713 183 193 203 211 222 236 242 Total55 Age range12--27 Average Age17.7 Gender Male13 Female42 Ethnicity Caucasian32 African American2 Hispanic10 Asian8 Other3

25. Problem Solving

26. Staying on Task

27. Social Initiations

28. Asking for Help

29. Social Responding

30. Greetings – Goodbye

31. Results Problem Solving (n=16) Sig. p<.01 Staying on Task (n=23) Sig. p<.01 Social Initiations (n=24) Sig. p<.01 Asking for Help (n=41) Sig. p<.01 Social Responding (n=32) Sig. p<.01 Greetings (n=38) Sig. p<.01 LibraryImproved Good DeedImproved GardenNo changeImproved PowerImproved Somewhat Improved Improved

32. Conclusions Good Deed Works had the most consistent and dramatic progress across skills. Staying on task, social responding, and greetings improved greatly across all programs. Garden Works had inconsistent data for problem solving. Power Works had less progress than other programs with social initiations. Overall, most participants made progress on their individual goals.

33. Employment Placements 97 Successful Placements since 2008

34. Christina Whalen, PhD, BCBA-D 602-218-8223 cwhalen@autismcenter.org Contact Information www.autismcenter.org