SOCIAL SKILLS
TRAINING PROGRAM

A lack or social competence can be more debilitating to an individual than deficits in academic skills. A lack of social perception is often an integral part of the dysfunction for many people who have learning disabilities - it is more than just a child’s reaction to failures and frustrations experienced in school. It is essential that attention be given to remediating social skills deficits before the self esteem of a child is damaged and general adjustments negatively affected - and before he/she is expected to enter the world of adulthood and independence. Individuals who are portraying social skills deficiencies do not learn appropriate social behaviours from observation and experience alone...Social skills must be explicitly taught. Activities of the program would include: discussions, role playing, playing co-operative games, following and giving clear directions, giving and receiving positive feedback, using positive consequences, problem solving, sharing, handling name calling and teasing, conversations, compromising and offering help.

The program is designed to serve children and adolescents who exhibit the following characteristics:
* lack of confidence
*learned helplessness
*disorganized behaviour
*withdrawn - few friends
*extremely boisterous - few friends
*poor concept of time
*does not interpret non-verbal cues
*distractible
*impulsive

Contact the office at (905)791-4100 to receive
registration package.

10 weeks / 15 hours beginning
April 18th, 2001. Wednesdays from 6:15 - 7:45 p.m.
Cost: Members $125.00
Non-members $175.00

We are seeking a volunteer to fill a vacancy on our board of directors. SEAC - Special Education Advisory Committee representative for the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board.

Time Commitment Required: one year commitment, 6-10 hours per month. (although we ask for only one year commitment, this position is one in which a longer commitment is more effective.

Duties and Responsibilities: As a board member you will be involved in establishing the strategic direction for the association and will be called upon to vote on different policies, goals and objectives which are set forth. As a SEAC Representative you will be required to:

-represent LDANP at monthly SEAC meetings

-be very well informed about learning disabilities and special education

-be familiar with school board policies, procedures and services

-be familiar with LDA Ontario legislation, policies and by-laws

_gather information from chapter members to form basis of briefs

-may represent chapter on appeal board

-liase closely with staff and board on issues and concerns

-keep LDAO informed of local issues and school board services after discussion with board.

-inform parents regarding procedures of board of education

-report bi-monthly to board

-present year end by June 30th.

Qualifications Required: A team player with the ability to tackle with enthusiasm important and often complex problems of public interest, the ability to take an orderly approach to decision making. This position requires an individual with determination and a passion for the LD cause. There is a lot of reading associated with this position.

Training Required. Training is available through the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario as well as ongoing support from the local chapter.

If interested call Susan at (905)791-4100

LDANP serves Brampton, Caledon, Orangeville and Bolton.

Learning Disabilities Association of Mississauga is located at 110 Dundas St. W. Mississauga 
ON L5B 1H3
Tel: (905)272-4100 Fax: (905)272-4863