for families of teenagers with aspergers, autism and other disabilities
Relationships Matter
The Mike’s Crush DVD and booklet are designed for adolescents and young adults who are on the autism spectrum, or have intellectual or learning disabilities. Our DVD tells the story of a high school boy who has a crush on a girl in his history class. The good day/bad day model demonstrates healthy and unhealthy relationships, including the difference between a crush and stalking.
The booklet facilitates interesting and relevant discussions among teenagers with aspergers, autism and other disabilities about the six topics presented in the DVD. Discussion questions in the booklet teach positive ways to approach a peer, as well as how to tell if the other person is interested in a friendship, a romantic relationship, or no relationship at all.
Why It Works
Mike’s Crush for Families works because it was developed with input from students, families, and educators. The lessons focus on issues teenagers with aspergers, autism or an intellectual disability face every day. It dramatizes real-life situations and motivates young people to learn skills that can reduce their anxiety about all types of peer relationships.
Mike’s Crush gets an A+!”
Carol Amaradio
Parent of 19-year-old daughter
A teenager with Aspergers says, “Mike’s Very Bad Day is stunning with its realism and can connect with anyone in America. The actual location is never given, but this is a blessing because teens can imagine Mike living in their hometown. The creators may have been going for this, or maybe not, but this makes it all the better. The camera work is excellent and the editing spot-on. ★★★★★★★★★★ (10 out of 10 stars)”
Robert, 17 years old
“Nancy Nowell has added an aspect of educational programming that our students absolutely needed, but was previously overlooked at school.”
Beverly J. Smith
Director, Special Education
Garnet Valley School District, Pennsylvania
Description
Most teenagers have crushes, and we know that understanding the difference between a crush and stalking is critical for many students with special needs. Professional actors demonstrate easy-to-identify inappropriate behavior, such as violating boundaries, wearing dirty clothes, grooming problems, misreading social cues, and the inability to communicate with peers. Social Signals materials facilitate relevant conversations with adolescents in a relaxed and comfortable way, helping them avoid serious situations with their peers. The Mike’s Crush curriculum and DVD teach the social skills needed to have healthy relationships, both romantically and as a friend.
Mike’s Crush for Families DVD and Booklet:
- Uses evidenced-based treatments as defined by the National Autism Center’s
- National Standards Project.
- Was classroom tested for middle school and high school teenagers with aspergers or who are on the autism spectrum, as well as students who have learning and intellectual disabilities.
- Mike’s Crush DVD includes:
- A “bad day” video and a “good day” video that demonstrate the right and wrong ways to handle difficult situations.
- Mike’s Very Bad Day (9:38 minutes)
- Mike’s Good Day at School (7:09 minutes)
- Five separate video chapters that compare “bad day” and “good day” segments.
- Videos that are closed-captioned.
- Booklet (34 pages) includes:
- Why Mike’s Crush is important.
- Tips for families and caregivers.
- How to use the videos.
- Six topics designed to be fun and engaging for teenagers with aspergers, autism or an intellectual disability.
How to Use These Materials
Introduce Mike’s Crush to your family member by showing him or her the videos. After each video, ask him or her to describe what happened so you can determine how much was understood and gauge his or her reactions.
Show the good day/ bad day video for each topic area and discuss the videos. The six topics are appearance, relationships, body language, starting a conversation, getting to know someone, and rules and laws. Discussion questions (with answers included) provide a mechanism to have a positive dialogue about many types of relationships. It is always important to emphasize the things that your family member is doing well, not just his or her mistakes.
Understanding the difference between a crush and stalking is critical for middle and high school students if they are going to be accepted by their peers. The videos and booklet help parents frame conversations that are concrete, practical and positive.
Additional instructions are available in the booklet.
Target Audience
Our target audiences are families of middle school and high school students; teenagers with Aspergers, autism or an intellectual disability; young adults; and the professionals who work with them.
Young adults and teenagers with aspergers, who are in autistic support, life skills, learning-support, and emotional-support classes. Recommended for ages 11–24.
Families and caregivers who are concerned about a young person struggling with peer relationships.
