Reflection:
After using this source, I have left with some very important and essential takeaways. Looking at the article of social skills, I felt this is one all teachers should read and reflect on. As I live in a home with a sibling who is diagnosed with ASD, this article is very real and accurate. Students with ASD struggle with reading tone, sarcasm, humor, body language, or gestures in conversation. With this in mind, these things need to be taught to these students. I really like the idea of teaching these skills through plays and acting. Students can engage in learning these skills in a fun way. This activity based program leads students to be comfortable interacting and socializing with their peers. Coming up with conversation can be difficult for these students, however, in this program they are following scripts and acting out roles and do not have to do that. However, after they go through this program, it is found that these students find it easier to come up with conversation starters because they understand rules of language better. The theater approach to social skills takes away the stressful and "real" feel to communication, and allows these students to step out and be themselves. They learn humor, facial expression, and tone all through the plays. With this program, it does not force students into stressful social settings, instead it is engaging and fun. These students can relax and follow theater and learn social skills as they engage in this program. Personally, I feel as if more schools should utilize this program for students with ASD. These students love to act and speak their mind, but sometimes struggle with it and this program is the perfect way for them to showcase their skills.

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