Those that follow me on Facebook know how nervous I have been about Jay starting middle school. Part of my neurosis comes from the fact that I just don’t think he is socially ready. Academically… no problem, but can he handle all the situations that will be thrown his way?And what can I do as his mother to give him the tools to do so? These questions have been keeping me up at night.That is why I was so excited when Social Thinking gave me the opportunity to try out this new game created by Dominque Baudry,MS, Ed and based on the Social Thinking concepts and vocabulary introduced by Michelle Garcia Winner as outlined in her many books and articles on the topic.The game is designed to give pre-teens and teens a fun and motivating way to improve their social sense, practice taking the perspectives of others, and discuss relevant teen issues in a nonjudgmental setting. Sounds interesting doesn’t it?
Well folks it is not only interesting… it is fantastic. The box arrived right before we were about to depart on our 17 hour drive to Florida for vacation. I threw it in the car thinking that if nothing else it would pass a little bit of time. What it did was open up the door to some awesome conversations. It really gave me a realistic idea as to where we stand with my boy. I learned that my Jay does understand the idea of perspective taking – being able to think about others, their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how this interrelationship plays out in social situations. It’s just that when he gets upset or frustrated, he sometimes is unable to remember where he filed this information so to speak. This game not only helped him with his self esteem you should see how proud he was every time he got a question right, it was a way for us to review what we need to go over more so that when he is faced with these situations… which we all know he will be… even if he is frustrated or upset, he will be able to recall what to
do.
The best part about the game is the Behavior Scale that is used to play it. The behavior scale included in this Middle/High School edition has a five point format and was inspired by the work of Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Curtis and their book, The Incredible 5 Point Scale (2003).
5 -Behaviors that are against the rules
4- Behaviors that make others feel annoyed
3 -Behaviors that make others have weird thoughts about you
2- Behaviors that are fine or okay
1- Behaviors that make others have good thoughts about you
Players take turns picking a card which provides a situation and behavior such as:
“You decide you already know what your history teacher is talking about. You pull out a different book and begin to read.”
Then each player votes as to what they believe this behavior is,based on the scale. I was thrilled and yes perhaps shocked to hear Jay say, “Wow mom I have done this before. To the teacher I am sure this was a 4. I must have really frustrated her when I did that.” Do you see what I mean about this being an awesome game!!!He got it folks… he really got it!
In fact the behavior Scale made so much sense to Jay after playing this game a couple of times, that he suggested (YES YOU READ CORRECTLY… HE SUGGESTED) we tell all his teachers about it so they could use it with him in middle school. They could just walk over to him and say ,”Jay number 3″ when he is flapping in excitement or perhaps talking out loud to himself or whatever behavior that could be perceived by other 6th grade kids as odd or that word we all dread hearing… WEIRD. It would cause Jay to stop, think about what he is doing that could seem WEIRD to other students and then try to correct that behavior on his own. HELLO… isn’t that what we are shooting for folks! I told you this is awesome!!!
I could go on and on and on telling you how great this game is… or I can just direct you to go visit the Social Thinking website and order this game yourself! It will be the best $22 you spend!Better yet…
the wonderful folks at Social Thinking have given me a separate NEW game to give away to one of you folks!
How incredible is that? I know pretty incredible! And all you gotta do to win is leave a comment below with your name saying you want to enter to win. Easy peazy lemon squeezy!
Want even more chances to win this game? Do the following and then come back here to this post and leave a separate comment saying you did!
***Like Mama’s Turn Now on Facebook
***Like Social Thinking on Facebook
***Follow Mama’s Turn Now on Twitter
***Follow Social Thinking on Twitter
***Tweet the following message: Enter to win the @mamasturnnow @socialthinking Should I or Shouldn’t I giveaway. Great game for Aspie kids ages 12-18 http://wp.me/p1pu3Q-jl
***Mention this blog post on your Facebook Page or Blog and then come back here and leave the link to it!
One winner will be chosen from the comments left below by Random.org. Contest ends Midnight EST on Tuesday August 21st, 2012.
DISCLOSURE: Social Thinking has provided me with a copy of Should I or Shouldn’t I for purposes of providing a review. I received the game at no charge to me and I am under no obligation to return the product but can keep it for me own personal use. I was not given any monetary amount to review this product. Opinions expressed in this review are my own honest ones and I stand behind them. As with any product, I encourage you to research on your own and then make your own decisions.
The game sounds wonderful. I am sure some of our MS kids could benefit from it. Sign me up for the drawing :0)
Sounds like a great game! I want to enter to win.
wow! This sounds awesome and exactly like something my son would benefit from!!
Tweeted, Shared, followed. My son is not quite pre-teen, but this would be excellent for him, he’s great with his words and reading. Sounds like it is a great game.
This is such an awesome idea an perfect for my almost 13 year old. I don’t think he’ll think it’s uncool b/c of the game aspect and I can use it again for my younger son with autism when he gets to that age. Thank you!
This sounds like just what we need. Thanks for the great review and the chance to win one. Sign me up!
What a great game. I wish they had this when my boys were young. It would be great to have for my grandchildren.
I could really use this as well My so is going into middle school back into the regular school system after two years of virtual school so to say I am worried is putting it mildly
Liked and Shared!
Both my kids are ASD and in need of any and all tools to facilitate social skills development. This game sounds great!
sounds like a great game….I would like to enter to win!!
I’m going to try some of the products on Social Thinking. We’ve got a couple of years before our Aspie takes on middle school, but I say you can never be too prepared! Please enter me for a chance to win the game!
Just started following you on Twitter too.
And now following Social Thinking on Twitter.
I work with students with ASD and facilitate peer groups. This looks like an awesome tool!
Done, done, done and done… and done! (That was a lot to do, haha!) This looks wonderful – I would love this for my 11-yr-old Aspergian boy! Thanks for the review. It’s great to hear about this!
After an unpleasant experience between my Aspie son and another kid last night, this sounds like just what we need…
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
https://www.facebook.com/Dragirl
I would SO love to win!!!
Wonderful product and hope to win!
I have been looking at this game for a while. Unfortunately, it is not in my classroom budget yet. So.. I am hopeful I will win this!
Would love to use this with my son! A great idea!
I’d love to have this game – have a son in middle school… so stressful!! The scale is RIGHT up his alley!!
And I already “like” Social Thinking on Facebook!!
This would be perfect for my 6th grader!
I want to enter to win PLEASE <3
https://twitter.com/BonnieBobeck1/status/235511428075888641
I Like Mama’s Turn Now on Facebook
And just “liked” Mama’s Turn Now on Facebook…
I’d really like to win this game!!
“Liked” Mamas Turn on FB
“Liked” Social Thinking on FB
I Like Social Thinking on Facebook
Following Sharon – Mama’s Turn on Twitter
I follow Mama’s Turn Now on Twitter
@ducki979
Following Michelle G. Winner (social thinking) on Twitter.
I follow Social Thinking on twitter
@ducki979
I would love to win this game even though I have already ordered it for the school year. Not only am I an SLP working with kids with social skills deficits but my son has social deficits and will be starting high school. It would be great to have our own at home!
Mentioned the blog & giveaway on FB: http://www.facebook.com/groups/160371314098835/#!/bonnie.wegmann/posts/178072282327100
Would really love to win this awesome app!
This game sounds fantastic! It would be the perfect complement to the other Social Thinking products. Please enter me in the drawing.
This game sounds amazing and the perfect tool for us! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!
I would love to win. Is this how we enter?
I would LOVE to have this game! I am just beginning my career as a speech language pathologist in the schools and will be working in an elementary school and a high school. I am such a huge fan of Social Thinking products.
We would love this game! Social Thinking skills have really helped our child!
I “liked” Mama’s Turn Now on FB!
Already “like” Social Thinking on FB =D
Sounds like a great game. Always looking for games to help my son. Thanks for the review!
following mamasturnnow on twitter @jones237
oops, i posted my twitter name thing wrong, its @mjones237.
following socialthinking on twitter @jones237
tweeted! https://twitter.com/mjones237/status/235519079585288193
posted to FB https://www.facebook.com/jsemlebest/posts/408328429215114
Done, done,done, and done. Love all the Social Thinking products. Can’t wait to be able to use Should I or Shouldn’t I with my middle school students!
I posted to facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mimsydoodle
This sounds like a wonderful tool & perfect resource for my son who is going into 6th grade. Please sign me up for your giveaway.
I posted on my facebook page.
I also would love to win! I could use it in my group activities in the alternative school where I teach. I believe it can be used with all types of children.
http://www.facebook.com/karalee.crawford
Can’t say enough about the value of social thinking and the products, books, lessons , ideas! THEY WORK!
We would love this game! Hope to win!
I would love this game! I also ‘liked’ you on Facebook:)
Liked on Facebook. I can’t wait to try this game out with the middle school kids I work with.
I want to win this Game for my 13 year old Aspie and I.
… and I liked Mama’s Turn on Facebook. I already liked Social Thinking:)
As a teacher of students with Asperger’s, I have been eagerly waiting to order this game. Winning it would be even better! Thanks for the opportunity!
As an SLP and mom to an ASD, I think this is an awesome idea and can’t wait to try it!
This would be a great activity for the Social Thinking Groups we run in the Speech Therapy Department at our school. Please enter my name in the giveaway!
I “liked” you on Facebook also!
Ihave an amazing yong man entering middle school too! He just happens to have aspergers too. Please sign me up for the giveaway!
This sounds so awesome! It’s just what my 13 year old aspie needs. I think we could play it with some of his classmates too.
May I beg? I would absolutely LOVE to get this game and use it with my kiddos I work with!
I would love to try this with my little client. She has come so far. Her goal for 3rd grade is to be an awesome student. For her, being awesome would include social skill refining. Pick me!
Please enter me in the sweepstakes! Thanks!
I would love to win this game to use with my speech and language students!
Please count me in, I’d love to use this game in therapy and transition counseling with my Aspergers students!
just liked Mama’s Turn Now on Facebook.
Just liked Social Thinking on Facebook.
We are ready for this game! My son is ready, I am ready; his sister is ready. Would love to get back to school with a game like this!
I would love to win.
I follow social thinking on facebook
I follow social thinking on twitter
This game does sound awesome, but do you know if there is something similar for younger children? My son just turned 4. Thanks!
This would be perfect for 2 of my boys! Please enter me into the drawing.
I would absolutely LOVE to win this game. I work with children who struggle with social situations and this game sounds like a must-have tool. Thanks for sharing
Georgia
PS. I hope I can enter – I’m in South Africa
I’d love to win this game! Looks great!
I’d love to win this game! Looks great!
This game sounds incredible! I help train teachers on strategies to use with children who have autism, and I have a 16-year old son with high-functioning autism. I think this would be an excellent tool I could use personally and professionally. kO’m definitely going to recommend it to parents and teachers!
Just liked Mama’s Turn on FB.
I had already liked Social Thinking on FB.
Following Mama’s Turn Now on Twitter!
Following Social Thinking on Twitter!
I would love to win!!!
We love Social Thinking here. My son’s whole summer ESY program was based on it. This game sounds awesome!
Sounds like an awesome game. As a parent of a child with special needs, as well as a educational assistant in a Lifeskills program, there is never enough time to find all this stuff on our own. Thanks to all who share what they know/do. Consider the link shared/liked/whatever I am capable of.
I would love to win this game, we are always working on social skills and awareness. This seems like a great and fun way to do it with less pressure!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
I’d love to win this game to use with our son, who’s 13 1/2. I just liked Mama’s Turn Now and Social Thinking on Twitter. I’m already following MTN on FB, and I “liked” Social Thinking on FB.
This would be great for my son – he’s starting 7th grade this fall!
Please enter me in the drawing
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“liked” mamas turn now on fb
We are freaking out about starting gr 6 here too, this game looks awesome, love the changed use of the 5 point scale!
I ordered the game last week through Amazon after consulting with my daughter’s high school Life Skills teacher. We are giving it to the program to use in their social skills class. THe teacher thought it looked great. I’d love to get another set to have at home!
I’d love to win this!