[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
we all have stories to tell of times in
we all have stories to tell of times in our lives when we’ve experienced fear
our lives when we’ve experienced fear
our lives when we’ve experienced fear and anxiety my name is Peyton and one
and anxiety my name is Peyton and one
and anxiety my name is Peyton and one time I was taken to a party for my
time I was taken to a party for my
time I was taken to a party for my parents friends my siblings came as well
parents friends my siblings came as well
parents friends my siblings came as well but they were able to make friends with
but they were able to make friends with
but they were able to make friends with the other guests while I was not feeling
the other guests while I was not feeling
the other guests while I was not feeling awkward I spent the entire evening alone
awkward I spent the entire evening alone
awkward I spent the entire evening alone playing with the dogs I’m Emma and in
playing with the dogs I’m Emma and in
playing with the dogs I’m Emma and in middle school I started to feel anxious
middle school I started to feel anxious
middle school I started to feel anxious in crowds which is weird for me because
in crowds which is weird for me because
in crowds which is weird for me because I never would have considered myself bad
I never would have considered myself bad
I never would have considered myself bad with people I would feel like the room
with people I would feel like the room
with people I would feel like the room was closing in on me and like no one
was closing in on me and like no one
was closing in on me and like no one else felt how I was feeling
else felt how I was feeling
else felt how I was feeling I’m Tommy I was at a concert seeing my
I’m Tommy I was at a concert seeing my
I’m Tommy I was at a concert seeing my favorite band with one of my closest
favorite band with one of my closest
favorite band with one of my closest friends I wanted to enjoy the show
friends I wanted to enjoy the show
friends I wanted to enjoy the show but with all the people crammed up next
but with all the people crammed up next
but with all the people crammed up next to me and the loud noise I began to have
to me and the loud noise I began to have
to me and the loud noise I began to have a panic attack I had to leave the entire
a panic attack I had to leave the entire
a panic attack I had to leave the entire concert until I could regain normal
concert until I could regain normal
concert until I could regain normal breathing I’m Andru when it comes to
breathing I’m Andru when it comes to
breathing I’m Andru when it comes to social events hangouts I start to get
social events hangouts I start to get
social events hangouts I start to get anxious I start to assume negative
anxious I start to assume negative
anxious I start to assume negative stories in my head what if I get
stories in my head what if I get
stories in my head what if I get cancelled last minute what if I get left
cancelled last minute what if I get left
cancelled last minute what if I get left out what if I get humiliated and what if
out what if I get humiliated and what if
out what if I get humiliated and what if I get teased I’m Elise when I was
I get teased I’m Elise when I was
I get teased I’m Elise when I was younger I would have trouble in social
younger I would have trouble in social
younger I would have trouble in social situations because I would overthink
situations because I would overthink
situations because I would overthink everything as a result I struggled to
everything as a result I struggled to
everything as a result I struggled to make close friends and got really
make close friends and got really
make close friends and got really nervous when there was a big social
nervous when there was a big social
nervous when there was a big social outing like a school dance or a
outing like a school dance or a
outing like a school dance or a sleepover so so you can see we all
sleepover so so you can see we all
sleepover so so you can see we all struggle at times but for those of us
struggle at times but for those of us
struggle at times but for those of us with autism this is amplified autism
with autism this is amplified autism
with autism this is amplified autism includes a broad range of conditions
includes a broad range of conditions
includes a broad range of conditions characterized by troubles with social
characterized by troubles with social
characterized by troubles with social skills repetitive behaviors speech and
skills repetitive behaviors speech and
skills repetitive behaviors speech and nonverbal communication as well as by
nonverbal communication as well as by
nonverbal communication as well as by unique strengths and differences in
unique strengths and differences in
unique strengths and differences in thinking the Centers for Disease Control
thinking the Centers for Disease Control
thinking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the CDC estimates autism
and Prevention the CDC estimates autism
and Prevention the CDC estimates autism prevalence as one in 68 children in the
prevalence as one in 68 children in the
prevalence as one in 68 children in the United States this includes one in 42
United States this includes one in 42
United States this includes one in 42 boys and one in a hundred and
boys and one in a hundred and
boys and one in a hundred and eighty-nine girls shoes with autism are
eighty-nine girls shoes with autism are
eighty-nine girls shoes with autism are often high-functioning I have average to
often high-functioning I have average to
often high-functioning I have average to above average IQs some of the most
above average IQs some of the most
above average IQs some of the most overlooked deficit areas in social
overlooked deficit areas in social
overlooked deficit areas in social communication which includes reading
communication which includes reading
communication which includes reading nonverbal cues maintaining eye contact
nonverbal cues maintaining eye contact
nonverbal cues maintaining eye contact other under
other under
other under other perspectives and navigating social
other perspectives and navigating social
other perspectives and navigating social situations so what can we do to help
situations so what can we do to help
situations so what can we do to help these amazing individuals peer spective
these amazing individuals peer spective
these amazing individuals peer spective is a class at our high school that pairs
is a class at our high school that pairs
is a class at our high school that pairs typically minded students with students
typically minded students with students
typically minded students with students on the spectrum to intentionally teach
on the spectrum to intentionally teach
on the spectrum to intentionally teach these social skills before I took
these social skills before I took
these social skills before I took perspective I was afraid of expressing
perspective I was afraid of expressing
perspective I was afraid of expressing myself meeting new people and trying new
myself meeting new people and trying new
myself meeting new people and trying new things Emma did you know that I used to
things Emma did you know that I used to
things Emma did you know that I used to hide in my room to avoid social
hide in my room to avoid social
hide in my room to avoid social situations I never would have known that
situations I never would have known that
situations I never would have known that because for me social interactions have
because for me social interactions have
because for me social interactions have always come pretty easily but before
always come pretty easily but before
always come pretty easily but before perspective I didn’t always know what my
perspective I didn’t always know what my
perspective I didn’t always know what my friends like Peyton might be feeling I
friends like Peyton might be feeling I
friends like Peyton might be feeling I know what you mean Emma
know what you mean Emma
know what you mean Emma I’ve always enjoyed talking to people
I’ve always enjoyed talking to people
I’ve always enjoyed talking to people but before perspective I often struggled
but before perspective I often struggled
but before perspective I often struggled empathizing in many social situations I
empathizing in many social situations I
empathizing in many social situations I was quick to make judgments and I never
was quick to make judgments and I never
was quick to make judgments and I never fully understood where the other person
fully understood where the other person
fully understood where the other person was coming from Tommy did you know I was
was coming from Tommy did you know I was
was coming from Tommy did you know I was diagnosed the pervasive development
diagnosed the pervasive development
diagnosed the pervasive development disorder in 2004 it’s another form of
disorder in 2004 it’s another form of
disorder in 2004 it’s another form of high-functioning autism I couldn’t speak
high-functioning autism I couldn’t speak
high-functioning autism I couldn’t speak until I was four years old and daycare
until I was four years old and daycare
until I was four years old and daycare the whole class would do all sorts of
the whole class would do all sorts of
the whole class would do all sorts of activities and stuff like that but what
activities and stuff like that but what
activities and stuff like that but what would I do I would just sit in the
would I do I would just sit in the
would I do I would just sit in the corner and water around and do
corner and water around and do
corner and water around and do absolutely nothing I did not like
absolutely nothing I did not like
absolutely nothing I did not like getting hugged or touch at the time but
getting hugged or touch at the time but
getting hugged or touch at the time but when I grew out of it it does not bother
when I grew out of it it does not bother
when I grew out of it it does not bother me one bit at least I bet you never
me one bit at least I bet you never
me one bit at least I bet you never stole that because you are so outgoing
stole that because you are so outgoing
stole that because you are so outgoing and you I’m outgoing but I definitely
and you I’m outgoing but I definitely
and you I’m outgoing but I definitely have learned a lot from this class I’ll
have learned a lot from this class I’ll
have learned a lot from this class I’ll be honest when I was chosen to be a peer
be honest when I was chosen to be a peer
be honest when I was chosen to be a peer coach I thought of how amazing would be
coach I thought of how amazing would be
coach I thought of how amazing would be to help these individuals but what I
to help these individuals but what I
to help these individuals but what I didn’t realize was this class would help
didn’t realize was this class would help
didn’t realize was this class would help me just as much as the students on the
me just as much as the students on the
me just as much as the students on the spectrum perspective is a new way to
spectrum perspective is a new way to
spectrum perspective is a new way to teach social skills to students with
teach social skills to students with
teach social skills to students with high-functioning autism this class has
high-functioning autism this class has
high-functioning autism this class has been taught high school for 12 years
been taught high school for 12 years
been taught high school for 12 years another nearby high high school for
another nearby high high school for
another nearby high high school for eight years and many other districts are
eight years and many other districts are
eight years and many other districts are starting this class too and peer
starting this class too and peer
starting this class too and peer mentoring is just one of 21
mentoring is just one of 21
mentoring is just one of 21 evidence-based practices that the peer
evidence-based practices that the peer
evidence-based practices that the peer spective class uses to pair socially
spective class uses to pair socially
spective class uses to pair socially minded students with academically minded
minded students with academically minded
minded students with academically minded students to teach these social skills
students to teach these social skills
students to teach these social skills intentionally perspective meets every
intentionally perspective meets every
intentionally perspective meets every day for 50 minutes just like any other
day for 50 minutes just like any other
day for 50 minutes just like any other class and we are in a credit towards
class and we are in a credit towards
class and we are in a credit towards graduation for our participation so
graduation for our participation so
graduation for our participation so we’re actively working on social skills
we’re actively working on social skills
we’re actively working on social skills just over 16 and a half hours a month
just over 16 and a half hours a month
just over 16 and a half hours a month most students with social needs only get
most students with social needs only get
most students with social needs only get 20 minutes a month through speech and
20 minutes a month through speech and
20 minutes a month through speech and language therapy which is a great
language therapy which is a great
language therapy which is a great intervention but it’s just not enough
intervention but it’s just not enough
intervention but it’s just not enough yes
yes
yes therapy did help but I didn’t get to
therapy did help but I didn’t get to
therapy did help but I didn’t get to practice these skills until now until
practice these skills until now until
practice these skills until now until now I get to practice these skills
now I get to practice these skills
now I get to practice these skills outside the classroom my friends and I
outside the classroom my friends and I
outside the classroom my friends and I will go on field trips and outings once
will go on field trips and outings once
will go on field trips and outings once a quarter example my fair outing was The
a quarter example my fair outing was The
a quarter example my fair outing was The Amazing Race because I got to ice cream
Amazing Race because I got to ice cream
Amazing Race because I got to ice cream with no spoons over the past 12 years
with no spoons over the past 12 years
with no spoons over the past 12 years this class has literally changed lives
this class has literally changed lives
this class has literally changed lives and we are here today to encourage you
and we are here today to encourage you
and we are here today to encourage you to start a P respective class because we
to start a P respective class because we
to start a P respective class because we know it works because of perspective I
know it works because of perspective I
know it works because of perspective I am now more outgoing that I have been
am now more outgoing that I have been
am now more outgoing that I have been before and everybody cautiously approach
before and everybody cautiously approach
before and everybody cautiously approach new people make friends with peers of my
new people make friends with peers of my
new people make friends with peers of my other classes and try new activities
other classes and try new activities
other classes and try new activities that I would have never dreamed of doing
that I would have never dreamed of doing
that I would have never dreamed of doing before like recently I’ve been
before like recently I’ve been
before like recently I’ve been auditioning and participating in school
auditioning and participating in school
auditioning and participating in school plays I love acting but prior to this
plays I love acting but prior to this
plays I love acting but prior to this class I would have never had the
class I would have never had the
class I would have never had the confidence to try out I feel proud
confidence to try out I feel proud
confidence to try out I feel proud because I pushed myself it’s not my
because I pushed myself it’s not my
because I pushed myself it’s not my comfort zone that’s so cool Payton for
comfort zone that’s so cool Payton for
comfort zone that’s so cool Payton for me I’ve always known I wanted to be a
me I’ve always known I wanted to be a
me I’ve always known I wanted to be a special ed teacher and I’ve been kind of
special ed teacher and I’ve been kind of
special ed teacher and I’ve been kind of working in that world for roughly six
working in that world for roughly six
working in that world for roughly six years now I think sometimes in our
years now I think sometimes in our
years now I think sometimes in our society and even within the special ed
society and even within the special ed
society and even within the special ed community we overlook these invisible
community we overlook these invisible
community we overlook these invisible disabilities like autism this class has
disabilities like autism this class has
disabilities like autism this class has taught me and I know it’s taught my
taught me and I know it’s taught my
taught me and I know it’s taught my peers to see our differences and realize
peers to see our differences and realize
peers to see our differences and realize that they can be a good thing I know
that they can be a good thing I know
that they can be a good thing I know exactly what you mean Emma through
exactly what you mean Emma through
exactly what you mean Emma through perspective I’ve learned a lot about the
perspective I’ve learned a lot about the
perspective I’ve learned a lot about the social world and about how to simply
social world and about how to simply
social world and about how to simply have a conversation where it’s
have a conversation where it’s
have a conversation where it’s comfortable for both people those
comfortable for both people those
comfortable for both people those classes made me think about things that
classes made me think about things that
classes made me think about things that I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise
I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise
I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise and I’ve got to make some amazing new
and I’ve got to make some amazing new
and I’ve got to make some amazing new friendships and bonds that I know will
friendships and bonds that I know will
friendships and bonds that I know will last a lifetime
last a lifetime
last a lifetime Andrew I’ve really seen you push
Andrew I’ve really seen you push
Andrew I’ve really seen you push yourself this year I should have held
yourself this year I should have held
yourself this year I should have held Tommy I did a really big speech in front
Tommy I did a really big speech in front
Tommy I did a really big speech in front of a really big audience that’s one of
of a really big audience that’s one of
of a really big audience that’s one of the biggest things you’ve done until now
the biggest things you’ve done until now
the biggest things you’ve done until now yes I got to practice my speech inside
yes I got to practice my speech inside
yes I got to practice my speech inside the classroom this class has always
the classroom this class has always
the classroom this class has always pushed my confidence and pushed me
pushed my confidence and pushed me
pushed my confidence and pushed me outside my cover song and because of
outside my cover song and because of
outside my cover song and because of that speech I got I started making new
that speech I got I started making new
that speech I got I started making new friends from other school districts I’m
friends from other school districts I’m
friends from other school districts I’m so proud of you Andrew
so proud of you Andrew
so proud of you Andrew through this class I vow the opportunity
through this class I vow the opportunity
through this class I vow the opportunity to really reflect on Who I am as a
to really reflect on Who I am as a
to really reflect on Who I am as a person and how to communicate with other
person and how to communicate with other
person and how to communicate with other people which will help me in the future
people which will help me in the future
people which will help me in the future more importantly I’ve been able to make
more importantly I’ve been able to make
more importantly I’ve been able to make some really close friends that will last
some really close friends that will last
some really close friends that will last a lifetime and I’ve even become more
a lifetime and I’ve even become more
a lifetime and I’ve even become more protective of my friends on the spectrum
protective of my friends on the spectrum
protective of my friends on the spectrum so what can you do read and ask
so what can you do read and ask
so what can you do read and ask questions and be open to new
questions and be open to new
questions and be open to new relationships with people you may have
relationships with people you may have
relationships with people you may have overlooked in the past dream of a world
overlooked in the past dream of a world
overlooked in the past dream of a world where we respect each
where we respect each
where we respect each there’s uniqueness we encourage you
there’s uniqueness we encourage you
there’s uniqueness we encourage you don’t start the conversation about
don’t start the conversation about
don’t start the conversation about having a P respective class in your high
having a P respective class in your high
having a P respective class in your high school we want to help these amazing
school we want to help these amazing
school we want to help these amazing individuals decode the social world even
individuals decode the social world even
individuals decode the social world even if you’re not directly associated with a
if you’re not directly associated with a
if you’re not directly associated with a school you can help by contacting the
school you can help by contacting the
school you can help by contacting the right people about getting perspective
right people about getting perspective
right people about getting perspective in a school around you our classmates
in a school around you our classmates
in a school around you our classmates will soon pass out these wonderful
will soon pass out these wonderful
will soon pass out these wonderful bookmarks with more information about
bookmarks with more information about
bookmarks with more information about what to do next if you want to start a
what to do next if you want to start a
what to do next if you want to start a prospective class or if you want to
prospective class or if you want to
prospective class or if you want to start smaller with a club the
start smaller with a club the
start smaller with a club the information provided on the bookmark
information provided on the bookmark
information provided on the bookmark will walk you through the process from
will walk you through the process from
will walk you through the process from start to finish it’s time for a change
start to finish it’s time for a change
start to finish it’s time for a change and you can start the conversation by
and you can start the conversation by
and you can start the conversation by doing just that
doing just that
doing just that please don’t leave here and think wow
please don’t leave here and think wow
please don’t leave here and think wow that’s such a great ear because we know
that’s such a great ear because we know
that’s such a great ear because we know it’s a daddy
it’s a daddy
it’s a daddy instead use this bookmark and dare to
instead use this bookmark and dare to
instead use this bookmark and dare to create a change
[Music] [Applause]
we all have stories to tell of times in
we all have stories to tell of times in our lives when we’ve experienced fear
our lives when we’ve experienced fear
our lives when we’ve experienced fear and anxiety my name is Peyton and one
and anxiety my name is Peyton and one
and anxiety my name is Peyton and one time I was taken to a party for my
time I was taken to a party for my
time I was taken to a party for my parents friends my siblings came as well
parents friends my siblings came as well
parents friends my siblings came as well but they were able to make friends with
but they were able to make friends with
but they were able to make friends with the other guests while I was not feeling
the other guests while I was not feeling
the other guests while I was not feeling awkward I spent the entire evening alone
awkward I spent the entire evening alone
awkward I spent the entire evening alone playing with the dogs I’m Emma and in
playing with the dogs I’m Emma and in
playing with the dogs I’m Emma and in middle school I started to feel anxious
middle school I started to feel anxious
middle school I started to feel anxious in crowds which is weird for me because
in crowds which is weird for me because
in crowds which is weird for me because I never would have considered myself bad
I never would have considered myself bad
I never would have considered myself bad with people I would feel like the room
with people I would feel like the room
with people I would feel like the room was closing in on me and like no one
was closing in on me and like no one
was closing in on me and like no one else felt how I was feeling
else felt how I was feeling
else felt how I was feeling I’m Tommy I was at a concert seeing my
I’m Tommy I was at a concert seeing my
I’m Tommy I was at a concert seeing my favorite band with one of my closest
favorite band with one of my closest
favorite band with one of my closest friends I wanted to enjoy the show
friends I wanted to enjoy the show
friends I wanted to enjoy the show but with all the people crammed up next
but with all the people crammed up next
but with all the people crammed up next to me and the loud noise I began to have
to me and the loud noise I began to have
to me and the loud noise I began to have a panic attack I had to leave the entire
a panic attack I had to leave the entire
a panic attack I had to leave the entire concert until I could regain normal
concert until I could regain normal
concert until I could regain normal breathing I’m Andru when it comes to
breathing I’m Andru when it comes to
breathing I’m Andru when it comes to social events hangouts I start to get
social events hangouts I start to get
social events hangouts I start to get anxious I start to assume negative
anxious I start to assume negative
anxious I start to assume negative stories in my head what if I get
stories in my head what if I get
stories in my head what if I get cancelled last minute what if I get left
cancelled last minute what if I get left
cancelled last minute what if I get left out what if I get humiliated and what if
out what if I get humiliated and what if
out what if I get humiliated and what if I get teased I’m Elise when I was
I get teased I’m Elise when I was
I get teased I’m Elise when I was younger I would have trouble in social
younger I would have trouble in social
younger I would have trouble in social situations because I would overthink
situations because I would overthink
situations because I would overthink everything as a result I struggled to
everything as a result I struggled to
everything as a result I struggled to make close friends and got really
make close friends and got really
make close friends and got really nervous when there was a big social
nervous when there was a big social
nervous when there was a big social outing like a school dance or a
outing like a school dance or a
outing like a school dance or a sleepover so so you can see we all
sleepover so so you can see we all
sleepover so so you can see we all struggle at times but for those of us
struggle at times but for those of us
struggle at times but for those of us with autism this is amplified autism
with autism this is amplified autism
with autism this is amplified autism includes a broad range of conditions
includes a broad range of conditions
includes a broad range of conditions characterized by troubles with social
characterized by troubles with social
characterized by troubles with social skills repetitive behaviors speech and
skills repetitive behaviors speech and
skills repetitive behaviors speech and nonverbal communication as well as by
nonverbal communication as well as by
nonverbal communication as well as by unique strengths and differences in
unique strengths and differences in
unique strengths and differences in thinking the Centers for Disease Control
thinking the Centers for Disease Control
thinking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the CDC estimates autism
and Prevention the CDC estimates autism
and Prevention the CDC estimates autism prevalence as one in 68 children in the
prevalence as one in 68 children in the
prevalence as one in 68 children in the United States this includes one in 42
United States this includes one in 42
United States this includes one in 42 boys and one in a hundred and
boys and one in a hundred and
boys and one in a hundred and eighty-nine girls shoes with autism are
eighty-nine girls shoes with autism are
eighty-nine girls shoes with autism are often high-functioning I have average to
often high-functioning I have average to
often high-functioning I have average to above average IQs some of the most
above average IQs some of the most
above average IQs some of the most overlooked deficit areas in social
overlooked deficit areas in social
overlooked deficit areas in social communication which includes reading
communication which includes reading
communication which includes reading nonverbal cues maintaining eye contact
nonverbal cues maintaining eye contact
nonverbal cues maintaining eye contact other under
other under
other under other perspectives and navigating social
other perspectives and navigating social
other perspectives and navigating social situations so what can we do to help
situations so what can we do to help
situations so what can we do to help these amazing individuals peer spective
these amazing individuals peer spective
these amazing individuals peer spective is a class at our high school that pairs
is a class at our high school that pairs
is a class at our high school that pairs typically minded students with students
typically minded students with students
typically minded students with students on the spectrum to intentionally teach
on the spectrum to intentionally teach
on the spectrum to intentionally teach these social skills before I took
these social skills before I took
these social skills before I took perspective I was afraid of expressing
perspective I was afraid of expressing
perspective I was afraid of expressing myself meeting new people and trying new
myself meeting new people and trying new
myself meeting new people and trying new things Emma did you know that I used to
things Emma did you know that I used to
things Emma did you know that I used to hide in my room to avoid social
hide in my room to avoid social
hide in my room to avoid social situations I never would have known that
situations I never would have known that
situations I never would have known that because for me social interactions have
because for me social interactions have
because for me social interactions have always come pretty easily but before
always come pretty easily but before
always come pretty easily but before perspective I didn’t always know what my
perspective I didn’t always know what my
perspective I didn’t always know what my friends like Peyton might be feeling I
friends like Peyton might be feeling I
friends like Peyton might be feeling I know what you mean Emma
know what you mean Emma
know what you mean Emma I’ve always enjoyed talking to people
I’ve always enjoyed talking to people
I’ve always enjoyed talking to people but before perspective I often struggled
but before perspective I often struggled
but before perspective I often struggled empathizing in many social situations I
empathizing in many social situations I
empathizing in many social situations I was quick to make judgments and I never
was quick to make judgments and I never
was quick to make judgments and I never fully understood where the other person
fully understood where the other person
fully understood where the other person was coming from Tommy did you know I was
was coming from Tommy did you know I was
was coming from Tommy did you know I was diagnosed the pervasive development
diagnosed the pervasive development
diagnosed the pervasive development disorder in 2004 it’s another form of
disorder in 2004 it’s another form of
disorder in 2004 it’s another form of high-functioning autism I couldn’t speak
high-functioning autism I couldn’t speak
high-functioning autism I couldn’t speak until I was four years old and daycare
until I was four years old and daycare
until I was four years old and daycare the whole class would do all sorts of
the whole class would do all sorts of
the whole class would do all sorts of activities and stuff like that but what
activities and stuff like that but what
activities and stuff like that but what would I do I would just sit in the
would I do I would just sit in the
would I do I would just sit in the corner and water around and do
corner and water around and do
corner and water around and do absolutely nothing I did not like
absolutely nothing I did not like
absolutely nothing I did not like getting hugged or touch at the time but
getting hugged or touch at the time but
getting hugged or touch at the time but when I grew out of it it does not bother
when I grew out of it it does not bother
when I grew out of it it does not bother me one bit at least I bet you never
me one bit at least I bet you never
me one bit at least I bet you never stole that because you are so outgoing
stole that because you are so outgoing
stole that because you are so outgoing and you I’m outgoing but I definitely
and you I’m outgoing but I definitely
and you I’m outgoing but I definitely have learned a lot from this class I’ll
have learned a lot from this class I’ll
have learned a lot from this class I’ll be honest when I was chosen to be a peer
be honest when I was chosen to be a peer
be honest when I was chosen to be a peer coach I thought of how amazing would be
coach I thought of how amazing would be
coach I thought of how amazing would be to help these individuals but what I
to help these individuals but what I
to help these individuals but what I didn’t realize was this class would help
didn’t realize was this class would help
didn’t realize was this class would help me just as much as the students on the
me just as much as the students on the
me just as much as the students on the spectrum perspective is a new way to
spectrum perspective is a new way to
spectrum perspective is a new way to teach social skills to students with
teach social skills to students with
teach social skills to students with high-functioning autism this class has
high-functioning autism this class has
high-functioning autism this class has been taught high school for 12 years
been taught high school for 12 years
been taught high school for 12 years another nearby high high school for
another nearby high high school for
another nearby high high school for eight years and many other districts are
eight years and many other districts are
eight years and many other districts are starting this class too and peer
starting this class too and peer
starting this class too and peer mentoring is just one of 21
mentoring is just one of 21
mentoring is just one of 21 evidence-based practices that the peer
evidence-based practices that the peer
evidence-based practices that the peer spective class uses to pair socially
spective class uses to pair socially
spective class uses to pair socially minded students with academically minded
minded students with academically minded
minded students with academically minded students to teach these social skills
students to teach these social skills
students to teach these social skills intentionally perspective meets every
intentionally perspective meets every
intentionally perspective meets every day for 50 minutes just like any other
day for 50 minutes just like any other
day for 50 minutes just like any other class and we are in a credit towards
class and we are in a credit towards
class and we are in a credit towards graduation for our participation so
graduation for our participation so
graduation for our participation so we’re actively working on social skills
we’re actively working on social skills
we’re actively working on social skills just over 16 and a half hours a month
just over 16 and a half hours a month
just over 16 and a half hours a month most students with social needs only get
most students with social needs only get
most students with social needs only get 20 minutes a month through speech and
20 minutes a month through speech and
20 minutes a month through speech and language therapy which is a great
language therapy which is a great
language therapy which is a great intervention but it’s just not enough
intervention but it’s just not enough
intervention but it’s just not enough yes
yes
yes therapy did help but I didn’t get to
therapy did help but I didn’t get to
therapy did help but I didn’t get to practice these skills until now until
practice these skills until now until
practice these skills until now until now I get to practice these skills
now I get to practice these skills
now I get to practice these skills outside the classroom my friends and I
outside the classroom my friends and I
outside the classroom my friends and I will go on field trips and outings once
will go on field trips and outings once
will go on field trips and outings once a quarter example my fair outing was The
a quarter example my fair outing was The
a quarter example my fair outing was The Amazing Race because I got to ice cream
Amazing Race because I got to ice cream
Amazing Race because I got to ice cream with no spoons over the past 12 years
with no spoons over the past 12 years
with no spoons over the past 12 years this class has literally changed lives
this class has literally changed lives
this class has literally changed lives and we are here today to encourage you
and we are here today to encourage you
and we are here today to encourage you to start a P respective class because we
to start a P respective class because we
to start a P respective class because we know it works because of perspective I
know it works because of perspective I
know it works because of perspective I am now more outgoing that I have been
am now more outgoing that I have been
am now more outgoing that I have been before and everybody cautiously approach
before and everybody cautiously approach
before and everybody cautiously approach new people make friends with peers of my
new people make friends with peers of my
new people make friends with peers of my other classes and try new activities
other classes and try new activities
other classes and try new activities that I would have never dreamed of doing
that I would have never dreamed of doing
that I would have never dreamed of doing before like recently I’ve been
before like recently I’ve been
before like recently I’ve been auditioning and participating in school
auditioning and participating in school
auditioning and participating in school plays I love acting but prior to this
plays I love acting but prior to this
plays I love acting but prior to this class I would have never had the
class I would have never had the
class I would have never had the confidence to try out I feel proud
confidence to try out I feel proud
confidence to try out I feel proud because I pushed myself it’s not my
because I pushed myself it’s not my
because I pushed myself it’s not my comfort zone that’s so cool Payton for
comfort zone that’s so cool Payton for
comfort zone that’s so cool Payton for me I’ve always known I wanted to be a
me I’ve always known I wanted to be a
me I’ve always known I wanted to be a special ed teacher and I’ve been kind of
special ed teacher and I’ve been kind of
special ed teacher and I’ve been kind of working in that world for roughly six
working in that world for roughly six
working in that world for roughly six years now I think sometimes in our
years now I think sometimes in our
years now I think sometimes in our society and even within the special ed
society and even within the special ed
society and even within the special ed community we overlook these invisible
community we overlook these invisible
community we overlook these invisible disabilities like autism this class has
disabilities like autism this class has
disabilities like autism this class has taught me and I know it’s taught my
taught me and I know it’s taught my
taught me and I know it’s taught my peers to see our differences and realize
peers to see our differences and realize
peers to see our differences and realize that they can be a good thing I know
that they can be a good thing I know
that they can be a good thing I know exactly what you mean Emma through
exactly what you mean Emma through
exactly what you mean Emma through perspective I’ve learned a lot about the
perspective I’ve learned a lot about the
perspective I’ve learned a lot about the social world and about how to simply
social world and about how to simply
social world and about how to simply have a conversation where it’s
have a conversation where it’s
have a conversation where it’s comfortable for both people those
comfortable for both people those
comfortable for both people those classes made me think about things that
classes made me think about things that
classes made me think about things that I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise
I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise
I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise and I’ve got to make some amazing new
and I’ve got to make some amazing new
and I’ve got to make some amazing new friendships and bonds that I know will
friendships and bonds that I know will
friendships and bonds that I know will last a lifetime
last a lifetime
last a lifetime Andrew I’ve really seen you push
Andrew I’ve really seen you push
Andrew I’ve really seen you push yourself this year I should have held
yourself this year I should have held
yourself this year I should have held Tommy I did a really big speech in front
Tommy I did a really big speech in front
Tommy I did a really big speech in front of a really big audience that’s one of
of a really big audience that’s one of
of a really big audience that’s one of the biggest things you’ve done until now
the biggest things you’ve done until now
the biggest things you’ve done until now yes I got to practice my speech inside
yes I got to practice my speech inside
yes I got to practice my speech inside the classroom this class has always
the classroom this class has always
the classroom this class has always pushed my confidence and pushed me
pushed my confidence and pushed me
pushed my confidence and pushed me outside my cover song and because of
outside my cover song and because of
outside my cover song and because of that speech I got I started making new
that speech I got I started making new
that speech I got I started making new friends from other school districts I’m
friends from other school districts I’m
friends from other school districts I’m so proud of you Andrew
so proud of you Andrew
so proud of you Andrew through this class I vow the opportunity
through this class I vow the opportunity
through this class I vow the opportunity to really reflect on Who I am as a
to really reflect on Who I am as a
to really reflect on Who I am as a person and how to communicate with other
person and how to communicate with other
person and how to communicate with other people which will help me in the future
people which will help me in the future
people which will help me in the future more importantly I’ve been able to make
more importantly I’ve been able to make
more importantly I’ve been able to make some really close friends that will last
some really close friends that will last
some really close friends that will last a lifetime and I’ve even become more
a lifetime and I’ve even become more
a lifetime and I’ve even become more protective of my friends on the spectrum
protective of my friends on the spectrum
protective of my friends on the spectrum so what can you do read and ask
so what can you do read and ask
so what can you do read and ask questions and be open to new
questions and be open to new
questions and be open to new relationships with people you may have
relationships with people you may have
relationships with people you may have overlooked in the past dream of a world
overlooked in the past dream of a world
overlooked in the past dream of a world where we respect each
where we respect each
where we respect each there’s uniqueness we encourage you
there’s uniqueness we encourage you
there’s uniqueness we encourage you don’t start the conversation about
don’t start the conversation about
don’t start the conversation about having a P respective class in your high
having a P respective class in your high
having a P respective class in your high school we want to help these amazing
school we want to help these amazing
school we want to help these amazing individuals decode the social world even
individuals decode the social world even
individuals decode the social world even if you’re not directly associated with a
if you’re not directly associated with a
if you’re not directly associated with a school you can help by contacting the
school you can help by contacting the
school you can help by contacting the right people about getting perspective
right people about getting perspective
right people about getting perspective in a school around you our classmates
in a school around you our classmates
in a school around you our classmates will soon pass out these wonderful
will soon pass out these wonderful
will soon pass out these wonderful bookmarks with more information about
bookmarks with more information about
bookmarks with more information about what to do next if you want to start a
what to do next if you want to start a
what to do next if you want to start a prospective class or if you want to
prospective class or if you want to
prospective class or if you want to start smaller with a club the
start smaller with a club the
start smaller with a club the information provided on the bookmark
information provided on the bookmark
information provided on the bookmark will walk you through the process from
will walk you through the process from
will walk you through the process from start to finish it’s time for a change
start to finish it’s time for a change
start to finish it’s time for a change and you can start the conversation by
and you can start the conversation by
and you can start the conversation by doing just that
doing just that
doing just that please don’t leave here and think wow
please don’t leave here and think wow
please don’t leave here and think wow that’s such a great ear because we know
that’s such a great ear because we know
that’s such a great ear because we know it’s a daddy
it’s a daddy
it’s a daddy instead use this bookmark and dare to
instead use this bookmark and dare to
instead use this bookmark and dare to create a change
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