Social Skills Assistive Technology Resources
Assistive technology remains limited in the social skills area. What high-tech tools are on the market appear below.
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"Be Cool": Conflict Management Program
Source: James Stanfield Publishing Company
800-421-6534 to see any product on a free 30 day approval basis.
Compatibility/Requirements: VHS Video Cassette Recorder/Player
Ages: Young adult and up
Price: Individual module: $189.00 Complete set: $599.00
Description: BeCool teaches students a better way to cope with conflict and how to be assertively "cool." It includes four modules: Module l: Coping with Criticism. The module defines criticism , helps distinguish valid from invalid criticism, and leads the student to understand why people criticize. Students learn effective ways to “cool,” deal with criticism and avoid its adverse effects. The module includes 4 video tapes and a teacher’s guide. Module 2: Coping with Teasing. This section helps the student understand teasing and the reasons people tease. It distinguishes friendly from hurtful teasing, and the student learns how to deal effectively with this behavior using a variety of “cool” responses. This module includes 3 video tapes and a teacher’s guide. Module 3: Coping with Bullying. Module 3 helps the student understand bullying behavior and to recognize dangerous bullying. It demonstrates the benefits of various assertive or “cool” responses to bullying that will help students learn to deal with this serious and often terrifying problem. The module includes 3 video tapes and a teacher’s guide. Module 4: Coping with Anger. This section helps the student understand why people become angry, distinguish fair from unfair anger, and recognize when someone’s anger is becoming dangerous. It helps students cope effectively with this volatile emotion through “cool” and safe approaches.
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Being With People
Source: James Stanfield Publishing 800-421-6534
Compatibility/Requirements: VHS Video Cassette Recorder/Player
Ages: Young adult and up
Price: $129.00 for each title (2 videotapes and teacher’s guide) $399.00 for all four titles
Description: Students learn social skills essential to promoting graceful, social interactions and establishing positive relations with friends, dates, housemates, authority figures, strangers, and others. The material is presented in a humorous and entertaining situation-comedy format. Titles include: Being with Friends, Being with a Date, Being with Housemates, Being with Authority Figures, Acquaintances and Strangers
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Can Do Products
Source: Independent Living Aids, Inc., 27 East Mall, Plainview, NY 11803
800-537-2118 516-752-3135
Compatibility/Requirements: Low-Tech and Non-Tech
Ages: All
Price: $.50 - $349.95
Description: Independent Living Aids offers an extensive catalog and is actually a one-stop place for many vrious types of products: Books and Accessories - Book lights, book stands, magnifiers, Braille & talking watches, kitchen accessories. Cassette Players and Recorders - Cassette players are 4 track (play tapes of RFB&D.) Games and Hobbies - Large print; Braille Scrabble, Chinese Checkers, etc. Writing and Record Keeping - Large print; Braille Scrabble, Chinese Checkers, etc. Magnifying Lamps - Each lamp features a precision ground lens made of the finest clear crown optical glass, which results in less distortion and offers true color rendition. The carefully crafted arms have no exposed springs (less parts to wear out) and no exposed wires (reducing potential safety hazards). Unless otherwise indicated, a pleasing almond color, which goes with any décor, is the standard furnished. Custom colors of black, white and dove gray can be supplied at an additional cost of $10.00 per lamp. All lamps come with a one year warranty (bulbs excluded). Electronic Magnification Systems Catalogs are available.
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Check Register (Pocket or Purse)
Source (s): The Lighthouse, Inc. 800-829-0500
Compatibility/ Requirements: Non-technical
Ages: Adult
Price: $7.95
Description: Slips in pocket or purse. Bold lines and wide spacing offer easy entry for big-sized numerals. Five entries per page. Vinyl cover
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Community Man
Source (s): James Stanfield Publishing (800) 421-6534
Compatibility/Requirements: VHS Video Cassette Recorder/Player
Ages: Young adult and up
Price: $199.00 - 4 video tapes and teacher’s guide
Description: These video tapes teach students how to use community resources that will keep them healthy and stay safe. The topics on the tapes are Video 1: Community Man and the Fire Dept.; Video 2: Community Man and the Police Dept; Video 3: Community Man and Health Care; Video 4: Community Man and the Pharmacy
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English Language Learning Tools: The American Heritage Dictionary with Organizer, Alarm & Spell Checker LD-5402
Source (s): Overseas Connection International 818-884-8444 ext 306 800-274-7624 ext 306
818-884-5250 fax email: oci1@aol.com
Compatibility/ Requirements: Low-tech
Ages: Elementary grades and higher
Price: $40.00
Description: Everything you need for your busy lifestyle: dictionary, spell checker, and organizer with alarm-all in one compact unit over 130,000 definitions for 70,000 entry words from The American Heritage Dictionary advanced phonetic spelling corrections (simply enter words as they sound) 8K organizer stores over 500 entries, entries can store name, address, internet address, and multiple phone numbers (pagers, cell phone, fax, etc.) extended record format stores long list of names with multiple addresses; memo stores to-do lists, clothing sizes, appointments, birthdays, etc. password function keeps private data secure, i.e. pin numbers, etc.; clock with alarm & daylight savings time; 12 digit calculator with separate numeric keypad metric converter includes foreign clothing sizes and currency converter backup battery protects important data; new QWERTY keyboard with 10 key calculator format calculator with memory and percent function “?” function is great for crossword puzzles auto shut-off prolongs battery life batteries included manuals in English & Spanish actual size, lid closed: 3-1/2" x 5-1/4" LCD 3 x 19.
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Home of Your Own: Cooperative Living Training Program
Source (s): James Stanfield Publishing (800) 421-6534
Compatibility/ Requirements:
VHS Video Cassette Recorder/Player
Ages: Young adult and up
Price: $399.00
Description: This program was designed to prepare individuals to get along with housemates and to resolve the classic conflicts that arise when people share living quarters. Modeled solutions, along with extensive discussion and role playing activities, will teach students the essential social skills they need to successfully live with another person. Topics include: Borrowing, Lending, Lending Money, Sharing Expenses, Community Awareness, Consumer Skills, Sharing Common Areas, Conflicts with Housemates, Conflicts with Strangers and Acquaintances, Conflicts with Staff and Service Providers.
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