group social skill classes

K9 Club – Autism/Asperger’s Group Social Skill Program – is designed for children ages 8–16 who have very high functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.   The ideal candidate for this program loves dogs and would benefit from socializing in a supportive environment where all the activities are centered on dogs, and all the other participants are dog lovers.  From the kids’ perspective, it is a really fun class where they work hands-on with a variety of dogs and learn valuable life skills from trainers, vets, groomers and breeders. From the parents’   perspective, it’s a social skill and self-esteem development program that their children will look forward to attending each week. Social skill lessons and activities are integrated throughout each session in a manner that is not apparent to the students.

Dog-related activities include:

• Presentations and demonstrations – Presenters may include Travis County Search and Rescue, Veterinarian, Groomer, Dog Trainers, Service Dog Owners, Dog Store Owners, Professional Pet Photographers, etc.
• Dog-themed hands on projects – Project examples include painting dog bowls, making dog shaped picture frames, making tug toys, and building a dog first-aid kit
• Agility – Learning how to run the dogs through an agility course
• Dog training and care –  Learn how to communicate with the dog through their body language , facial expressions, eye contact, touch, tone of voice, hand signals, food lures and the clicker
• Field trips  - Walking field trips include Highway 620 Animal Clinic and Mud Puppies Dog Wash.  Older students will also have one to two field trips each semester that require transportation.

K9 Club is designed to reinforce and teach appropriate social behaviors in a setting that is fun for the children.  Our students are engaged and receptive to learning because they are having fun and interacting with the dogs.  The following is an example of some of the skills that are reinforced in our sessions:

• Appropriate Manners During a Presentation - Students learn to ask appropriate questions that are on-topic, when to raise their hand to ask a question, not to share personal stories, refrain from talking during presentations, etc.

• Field Trip Etiquette - Students learn the “unwritten rules of field trips”:  staying with a group, maintaining personal space with other students, not touching things they shouldn’t, not taking more than their share, etc.

• Empathy for Others - Students learn to show empathy with the dogs and fellow classmates.  Children are very receptive to taking care of the dogs and respecting their feelings. Students learn dog body language in the first few classes, and as time goes on, how their behaviors affect the dogs is emphasized.  This concept is then used to teach/build empathy towards humans.  Understanding human body language is related back to dog body language through games.

• Interacting with Peers - A variety of group exercises and games are used to teach and practice the concepts of fairness, taking turns, sportsmanship and communicating with peers.  This is done both verbally and through interpreting body language.

• Verbal and Motor Skill Practice - Shy students are encouraged to answer questions and interact with their peers. Dog training requires that hand motions are calm and controlled enough for the dog to interpret the command.  Children with motor skill challenges work to control their hand motions so they can interact better with the dogs.  Each session of the 8 – 10 year old group includes a physical circuit training segment. These segments encourage physical activity and motor skill improvements. Students enjoy running the course with their canine partners.