Bridging the Gap (Interior Major Project) | Page 20

NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY,
SOCIALEYES.
SocialEyes was developed by the National Autistic Society in conjunction with people with autism
and Asperger syndrome and leading professionals in the field. SocialEyes does not ask people
on the autism spectrum to change ‘inappropriate’ social behaviour or to acquire social skills by
copying the ‘typical’ behaviour of others. Instead, it gives people the option of learning social
interaction skills or alternative social strategies through interaction with others. It focuses on
eight social skills that people on the autism spectrum can have difficulty with, including starting
and ending a conversation, body language and facial expressions, eye contact and personal space.
Figure 24 - A ‘Chop and Chat’ session, where members can
socialise whilst learning everyday skills.
THE COURSE
At the beginning of the course, each participant will have a meeting with the trainer to discuss what they hope to gain from the
workshops, so aims and objectives can be set accordingly. They will then be given an independent learning plan to record activities
undertaken and where progress has been made in relation to their own personal objectives. These plans will be reviewed at the end
of the workshops to discuss progress and consider further areas of development.
The areas that will be covered are: Starting a conversation, making eye contact, respecting personal space, taking turns in a
conversation, keeping on topic, how to ask about interests, sensitive topics and ending a conversation. At the end of the eight
week workshop, they will attend a social event to practice what they have learnt. Basic social communication doesn’t come naturally
to individuals with autism, and as they can quickly forget what they have learnt, it is crucial to provide a forum where skills can be
practiced.
WORKSHOPS
Learning how to naturally start conversations
with others around each other.
How to make appropriate eye contact,
learning when and how long for.
Understanding and respecting
other peoples personal space.
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