Introduction Children on the autism spectrum often have

Introduction Children on the autism spectrum often have a lot of difficulty figuring out how they fit in socially within their classrooms, peer groups and families. The subtleties of social ranking can be really confusing. Children with autism often need our help to cut through the intricacies of the various social hierarchies affecting them. *Undervaluing their own essential social value. Children with autism may experience repeated disappointments trying to fit in and be accepted. This can make them feel they are somehow beneath other people and that their fate is to have low social ranking. Ways to use these materials In my own experience working with children in counseling and classroom contexts, I have found it very useful to use hands-on visuals like sticky notes to help increase awareness of the various hierarchies in their lives. Later, I found that this therapy/teaching method works well on a computer screen. I designed Learning about people by playing with sticky notes so that teachers, mental health professionals and parents can try this simple learning method that I have personally found very helpful. I designed this to be a lot like a book, but with moveable parts. Rather than just reading it, pause frequently to move the sticky note images around. Avoid using the big word “hierarchy” unless you are certain that the children understand it. Pay special attention to Part 5, “Figuring out the sticky note problems in your own life. ” This is where you will work closely with children to have them put together sticky note models of various social hierarchies that are giving them trouble. Kids on the spectrum misperceive social hierarchies in different ways and for different reasons. Here are some examples. If you are using these sticky notes resources with children in person, be sure to get out some real sticky notes for breakout activities. They sell very large sticky notes and those are especially nice for drawing on as well as writing. *Failure to acknowledge authority. A child on the spectrum striving to cope with feelings of anxiety might feel compelled to impose their own order on perplexing social situations, effectively putting themselves in charge. I hope that these playful materials help your students and clients with issues they find troubling and confusing. *Failure to return to formality following a period of informality. A child with ASD can become confused when adults are fun and silly but then expect the child to return to the original formal and conventional adult/child relationship. Joel Shaul, LCSW 2 © 2020 Joel Shaul