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Learning Objectives and Additional Information
Do you and your staff find yourselves confused about how to support neurodiverse campers or that staff are in discouraging negative feedback cycles with them? Constant correction from caregivers and rejection from peers erodes campers' confidence and triggers anxiety and defensiveness. This presentation promotes empathy for neurodivergent youths’ social challenges and lays out the Yellow Brick Road that leads to acceptance of their differences, appreciation of their gifts, and a more inclusive experience. Discover how to undo negative feedback cycles by interweaving neurodiversity affirming practices and “attending to the positive”. Imagine sparking children’s practice of social and coping skills simply by using competencies you already possess, vision and speech! Participants will discover 5 visual/communication structuring tools to decrease anxiety, meltdowns, shutdowns, and refusal behavior. You will learn the most critical social skills training (and leadership) skill called “Targeted Positive Reflection” to A) supercharge growth, B) increase cooperation, C) develop agency, D) motivate positive social behaviors, E) empower healthy self-advocacy and problem-solving & F) enhance campers’ relationships. You’ll learn how to give cooperation-enabling instructions, avoid taking the bait for predictable power struggles, and how to form transformative relationships with neurodivergent campers. Social skills are for everyone! Together we can develop the ideal environment for all campers to learn and practice the social skills they need to maximize their personal potential. Get on the positivity train - woot woot!
About the instructor:
Mike Fogel, MA, ATR-BC, LPC is a board-certified art therapist, licensed professional counselor, entrepreneur, and author with over two decades of clinical experience. Mike is an expert in treatment and advocacy for neurodiverse children with autism, ADHD and learning differences and also treats a wide range of childhood emotional-behavioral challenges at his private group therapy practice in Philadelphia, the Child and Family Art Therapy Center. Mike’s work is supercharged by heartfelt faith that every person has the innate capacity to heal, grow, and progress towards their vast personal potential. Camp is instrumental in that growth! Mike’s love for neurodiverse children propelled him to develop the comprehensive Art of Friendship Social-Coping Program® and curriculum, found Camp Pegasus, a therapeutic social skills day camp, and publish “The Social-Emotional Guidebook: Motivate Children with Social Challenges to Master Social & Emotional Coping Skills”. Mike passionately preaches that social skills are for everyone and that they represent the key to creating a compassionate, kind, and peaceful world. Let’s create a BetterWorld together!