SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Our Approach
With the current climate of the world we understand the importance of teaching our students in a way that they can relate to the world and know how to interact with it. One of the things that we find most important is that we can not change how people present themselves, but we can change and control how we respond to them. This year 2019, we are doing this through embracing the Kindness Initiative.
Our summer theme and the theme we will spend the rest of the year teaching our students about is Be Kind. We use social emotional learning to promote kindness with the idea that no matter who we are or what we are learning, we can be the example of kindness that we want to see in others. We will demonstrate this in various ways.
Social-emotional learning includes the attainment of life skills that help you deal with yourself and others as well as helping to effectively handle them together to live a successful, productive life.
We know that children with autism truly struggle with understanding their own emotions as well as the emotions of others. All children benefit from social-emotional learning. Teaching children social-emotional skills is just as important as teaching academics. RAIN's programs are designed to teach these skills using multiple modalities of teaching. One effective way to teach is by utilizing peer to peer support. Our peer buddies model typical social behavior and offer support throughout our programs. This not only benefits our students with ASD but has also been quite beneficial to our peer buddies!
Please check out Camp Free2BMe, Friendship Squad and Social Saturdays,. We welcome a visit from you!
What we Teach
- Foundation Skills (Greeting, Listening, Taking Turns)
- Conversation Skills
- Dealing with Tough Subjects (Bullying, Peer Pressure, Talking to the Opposite Sex)
- Appropriate Personal Hygiene and Body Changes
- Relationship Building
- Dealing with Sadness and Anger
- Promoting Positive Self Image
- Community Skills
- Real World Readiness Skills
- And so much more!
Our Volunteers
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Volunteers are key to the success of RAIN programs. Peer buddies and adult volunteers are needed all year. Whether it is a peer buddy for summer camp, a chaperone for prom or manning the RAIN booth at a fundraiser, all volunteers are needed and appreciated! Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
RAIN also works with universities to provide internship opportunities!
Peer Buddy Requirements
- Peer Buddies must be at least 16 years of age
- Peer Buddies must be responsible, respectful and arrive ready for the day.
- Peer buddies must undergo application process including an interview and reference checks
- Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 3:15 or Saturdays 9:30- 2:30
- Attend training as specified
- Please bring a bagged lunch
- Dress appropriately for camp (close toed shoes, modest attire)
- Must provide volunteer paperwork (if needed) prior to start of session
- Last but not least, have fun!!
Apply Now!
If you are interested in volunteering, fill out an application and submit it to info@richmondautism.org. You may also call 804-754-0000 to speak with us about specific opportunities.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
