Social Coaching services are provided by Laurel and Steve Falvo through The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding

Although these services can be particularly helpful for individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome, they can be utilized by anyone desiring to gain effective social skills to enhance their workplace success, whether you are employed, under-employed, or hoping to someday be employed!

Whether participating in individual or group coaching, each person can expect that the information and strategies will be geared toward his/her unique strengths and challenges.

Many of these services can be accessed through our individual Coaching and Consulting services, which can be purchased online. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.

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If you are a client with MRS (Michigan Rehab) in Ottawa or Allegan Counties, contact your job counselor to see if these services could be included in your employment plan. Other counties--(or other questions)--have your counselor contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SOCIAL COACHING NETWORK:

This group is available for paying members (ages 17 and older) and up to two support persons (parents, older siblings, grandparents, caseworkers, friends, etc.). Group meetings are held twice monthly (one evening and one morning), with occasional social events. The goal is to help members identify and work toward achieving personal goals, with instruction and facilitated social interaction. The targeted skills "for workplace success" can be applied to all areas of life, and include organizing, prioritizing, problem-solving, good hygiene, skills for interacting socially, budgeting, developing independent living skills, avoiding gullibility, respect, effective body language, using the Internet and social media responsibly, and more! Click here to register to become a member.

Click here for the 2012 schedule of meetings.

SOCIAL COACHING CLASSES:

A variety of classes are held throughout the year to teach targeted skills for "workplace success," whether a person is looking for employment, currently employed, or still identifying how and where they would like to contribute to society. Click here for current class information.

GENERAL and INDIVIDUAL SERVICES:

Click here for more information about our individual services.

SELF-AWARENESS and SELF-ADVOCACY:

Help clients identify their personal strengths and challenges (including knowledge of a diagnosis and how it might affect them), and give them tools/strategies for maximizing their abilities and compensating for or addressing their areas of weakness. Help them understand when and how to advocate for themselves in various settings and relationships, including those in the workplace.

SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING and SOCIAL EFFECTIVENESS:

Equip clients with specific instruction and tools/strategies for understanding the needs, perceptions, and expectations of others, and to make effective connections with them.

WORK-SITE SOCIAL COACHING:

A coach will meet with supervisors, colleagues, and/or the client at the work-site to identify key social components, strengths, needs, and other issues, to answer questions, and to provide tools and strategies for creating a social climate conducive to everyone’s success.

PEER MENTORING AND SUPPORT:

In a group setting, clients will discuss successes and struggles in the workplace, with the coach providing necessary instruction and facilitation to help them understand various situations and develop strategies for repairing negative situations and experiencing future success. Peer mentors will provide on-going support, feedback, and valuable social connections, with the coach monitoring those connections to maximize their effectiveness.

MULTI-MEDIA EVALUATION, MODELING, AND INSTRUCTION:

Video-taping will be utilized as needed to:

-          Shadow on-the-job work and provide feedback and instruction

-          Practice interviewing

-          Identify body language, facial expressions, and other mannerisms that could impact clients’ success

-          Set personal goals and document progress

-          Role-play work-related social situations to achieve a greater level of understanding and retention

CONSULTATIONS AND SUPPORT FOR JOB-COACHES, SUPERVISORS, AND COLLEAGUES:

Coaches are available in person, or by phone or Skype to answer questions, provide instruction, and brainstorm solutions. Specific presentations/ trainings are also available as needed for the workplace or for trainers.

PARENT INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT:

When employees are still living at home, their success on the job can be enhanced through consistent expectations and consequences at home which model those at the workplace.  With a coach’s instruction and support, parents can reinforce lessons about topics such as hygiene, respect, timeliness, accuracy, body language, perspective-taking, independent thinking and problem-solving, and repairing negative social interactions.

CONTACT: Laurel and Steve Falvo, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 616-748-6030. NOTE: MRS (Michigan Rehabilitation Services) customers may qualify for these services if included in your Individual Employment Plan. Conact your MRS counselor for more information.