Marc Zimmerman created Social Express to help his autistic twin boys understand the world around them. Now the game is helping kids all over the world. by Jessica Toomer Musician Marc Zimmerman had been disappointed with how schools handled his twin autistic boys for some time. As a result of autism, his third-grade sons needed extra help developing social and emotional…
Speech Language Pathologist Recommends New Social Learning Software
We were so honored that our social learning software has been recommended by another Speech Language Pathologist! Angela Desideri, M.S.,CCC-SLP finds that The Social Express helps some of her students with perspective taking skills, among other improvements. Here is more of our interview with Angela Desideri.
San Diego-CA (PRWEB) August 30, 2012
Angela Desideri, a Speech-Language Pathologist, calls The Social Express (TM) an essential social learning software program that can be a useful tool for many teachers and SLP’s.
The Social Express is an interactive social skills learning program, which consists of 16 lessons and 30 interactive scenes. Developed for children between five and 12 years, the software is based on best practices and programs that feature cognitive behavioral techniques and visual strategies. The lessons adhere to California State Board of Education Content Standards and the Common Core Standards.
The program uses video modeling, socially valid dialog, original characters, and Hollywood-movie quality animation. Children with autism, ADHD, Asperger’s and other social-emotional deficits find the characters engaging and many ask to use it everyday.
Angela Desideri uses The Social Express on an iPad with some of her students diagnosed with high functioning autism, Asperger’s, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and with those who have social language deficits.
When asked to describe the progress she’s seen in her students after using The Social Express, Desideri explained four key factors:
“First, I’ve seen increased motivation to learn the social skills I’m teaching. (My students love using the app.)
Second, I’ve seen improvements in my students’ perspective taking skills.”
She continued, “Third, students have been independently applying the vocabulary used in the program when they’re in related social situations. Lastly, they’ve also correctly identified feelings and coping strategies.”
Desideri added, “My students are excited to start each lesson in The Social Express and they love unlocking the hidden social keys. Getting the reward of unlocking the clubhouse is so motivating for them. For me, observing their excitement is priceless!”
Desideri is also an American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) approved Continuing Education provider working in an elementary school setting. She frequently provides training and workshops on using the iPad and learning apps across the United States and Internationally.
Desideri finds that her students have begun to relate to the characters and their specific interests. They remember what each character likes. This has helped improve their perspective taking skills. She’s also observed her students’ self confidence and sense of teamwork improve.
She summarized the benefits, “The interactive comprehensive teaching program provides the tools needed to assist with teaching social skills. My students who use this program are extremely motivated by the iPad, but I have struggled finding the perfect app to use when teaching social skills, until The Social Express.”
About The Language Express, Inc.
The Language Express, founded by parents of autistic twins in 2008, is a privately held company based in Encinitas, California. The company develops The Social Express (™) and other interactive social learning software. The company’s mission is to help children with ADHD, Autism and Asperger’s to improve their lives by teaching social skills using video modeling. Visit the company at http://thesocialexpress.com/
About Speech Tree App
Speech Tree is an easy to use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) learning program for beginning and emerging communicators. It systematically teaches language and AAC use incorporating ABA and evidence based principles. Angela Desideri conducts training sessions for SLP’s, parents, and educators on using the iPad as an educational tool. Visit the website at http://www.speechtreeapp.com and like them on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/speechtree to be notified of upcoming training opportunities.