Social Skills Come to Life

Model Me Kids® videos demonstrate social skills by modeling peer behavior at school, on a playdate, at a birthday party, on the playground, at a library, at the dentist, restaurant, and more. Real children model and narrate each skill. DVDs for ages 2-17.

Designed as a teaching tool for children, adolescents, and teenagers with Autism, Aspergers, PDD-NOS, Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD or NLD), and developmental delays, the videos are used by parents, teachers, and therapists. The videos are also helpful for teaching children with developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome.

Video Modeling Effectiveness

"Two new studies at Indiana University demonstrate that videos depicting exemplary behaviors can be effective in helping children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders develop social skills...Results from the [video modeling] meta-analysis indicate that both video modeling and VSM meet the Council for Exceptional Children's criteria for evidence-based practices."
- Bellini, S. & Akullian, J. (2007), Exceptional Children, 73, 261-284

more video modeling articles

Review By MAAP Services

"Both Susan Moreno (Director of MAAP Services for Autism & Asperger Syndrome) and I had the opportunity to review these videos and we were both very impressed with the quality. The videos are great not only because the skills are modeled by peers, but also because the skills are broken down step by step and then reviewed using the storyboards which have actual pictures of the scenes depicted in the video. They also use arrows and other graphics to draw the viewers' attention to the certain cue or body language used in the social skill. We also like that each social skill (or chapter) is only a few minutes in duration. This allows multiple viewings of the same chapter for repetition in a very short amount of time. Both Susan and I highly recommend these videos for schools and/or use at home."
- Lara Blanchard, M.A., BCBA of MAAP Services (See full review)

What a Mom Says:

"I cannot believe how much your DVDs have helped my son. They are an answer to prayer--in a big way! It was unbelievable how he identified with each and every situation given in the video. Finally something made sense to him! We try to coach our Aspie kids through these circumstances, but until they actually can watch it, the pieces of the puzzle do not quite come together. I own Model Me Conversation Cues and Model Me Friendship. I was so excited to see that you have Tips & Tricks coming out soon! I cannot thank you enough!"
- Holly Massman, Iowa

What a University Professor of Special Education Says:

"Model Me Kids provides a valuable resource for teaching children appropriate behaviors that will serve them well in school and other group situations. I can imagine teachers making use of these video vignettes as part of their planned social skills instruction, or in a spontaneous manner during a teachable moment."
- Tom McIntyre ("Dr. Mac"), Professor and Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Behavior Disorders, Dept. of Special Education, Hunter College - www.BehaviorAdvisor.com

What an Autistic Child Says:

Thank you to Jeffrey, age 10, for sending us his Report on "Time for School." Read Jeffrey's Report: Page 1 | Page 2

What Another Mom Says:

"I am amazed at how perfect your videos are for the way that my autistic son learns. He stops the videos and practices the phrases. It was even more amazing when he used them with the typically developing child next door."
- Susan, Texas

What a Speech-Language Pathologist Says:

"I just wanted to let you know that we really love the DVDs that we just purchased from you! We have a pediatric private practice and our SLP staff is thrilled with them."
- Patti Hamaguchi, Author of Childhood Speech-Language & Listening Problems: What Every Parent Should Know
Director, Hamaguchi & Associates Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists, Inc.

Aspergers Social Skills Group:

"I love your video. It is an excellent tool for my Aspergers social skills group."
-Caron Starobin, LCSW-C, Group Therapist for boys with Aspergers

Disability News & Views Radio Show

September 30, 2008 Teacher Interview (mp3)
September 30, 2008 Parent Interview (mp3)

ABA Therapy Team:

"Your DVDs are great! Our daughter (high-functioning autism diagnosis) LOVES them and has learned so much from these! ...We make them mandatory viewing for our home ABA therapy team."
-Karen Hofferber, Texas

What an Autism Support Teacher Says:

"I wanted to tell you that I showed Time for School to my students and they loved it! We discussed the social skills after watching it and they remembered everything. They talked about it all day long!..."
-Cindy Glew, Autism Teacher - Cindy's Autistic Support

Review of Autism Curriculum Resources

"I use the Model Me Conversation Cues DVD, Teaching Manual, and Student Workbooks in a high school social skills class with 7 high functioning students with Asperger's. The video clips are a helpful visual tool because they model key social behaviors in short clips and in real situations. The lesson plans are wonderful. They provide a clear guideline, with discussion points that provide extra reinforcement needed for the students to practice modeling the rules they learned in the lesson. I use the questions as journal prompts to review what was taught the previous day and how they can apply those rules in their daily experiences. My students enjoy the activities in the workbook because they are visual, concrete and fun. I have found the hands-on practice activities stimulating and engaging for them. My students are learning without even knowing it! I have seen my students initiate conversation and use the rules that they have learned in their general education classes with their peers. I would recommend this as a valuable tool for anyone working with students with Autism."
- Candice Clark, Special Education Teacher, McKinney, Texas

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Aspergers & Autism Resources

The following are links related to Autism and Aspergers:

Social Skills - Aspergers Syndrome - Autism - Autism Cause - Autism Treatment - PDD - Autism Education - Autism Groups - Social Stories & Video - Autism and Aspergers - Aspergers Videos - Autism Child - Social Skills Curriculum - Social Skills - Social Skills Books - Social Skills and Teens - NLD - Free Autism Teaching Tools - Autism Curriculum - Teaching Social Skills - Social Skills and Autism - About Special Needs Blog - National Association of Special Educ Teachers - Autism Society of NC - Emotions DVD - social skills curriculum resources - iphone app autism - community autism - social skills worksheets - Fan Art - Autism Research - Autism CSAAC - Bullying & Autism

Autism-Asperger's DVDs & Software: Ages 2-17

Model Me Conversation Cues® DVD Models nonverbal cues, how and when to start a conversation, maintain conversation, turn-taking in conversation, & more. Run Time: 68 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 9-17 learn more | order
Model Me Friendship™ DVD Models social skills involved in initiating and maintaining a friendship including: compromise, invite, handling rejection, team sports, empathy, and more. Run Time: 75 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 9-17 learn more | order
Model Me Tips & Tricks™ DVD Models social skills such as using tact, appropriate voice modulation, good hygiene, asking for help, sense of humor, and more. Run Time: 67 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 9-17 learn more | order
Model Me Confidence & Bullying Prevention™ DVD Models skills for preventing bullying and building confidence through self-advocacy, choosing friends, positive self-talk, and more. Run Time: 63 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 9-17 learn more | order
Model Me Organization & Motivation™ DVD Models executive functioning skills such as planning ahead, seeing the big picture, learning from mistakes, & more. Run Time: 63 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 9-17 learn more | order

Time for School™ DVD Topics include: listen to the teacher, share, sit quietly, take turns, show interest in others, playground, & more. Run Time: 61 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 5-12 learn more | order
Time for a Playdate™ DVD Topics include: greet friend, losing, answer, play his way, eye contact, clean up, say goodbye & more. Run Time: 67 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 5-12 learn more | order
I Can Do It!™ DVD Models appropriate behavior in stressful situations, including waiting, transitions, birthday parties, handling criticism, & more. Run Time: 53 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 5-12 learn more | order