The QUEST Program I was developed to address the needs of elementary students with social skills and pragmatic language weaknesses. Because these children benefit from regular instruction and practice, the program uses an intensive proactive approach to teach social skills by combining written instruction with games, experiential stories, and role play, which results in discussion, friendly feedback from peers, and real-world experience. Even when provided with an inclusive education in a general education setting, these students do not typically interpret social cues, nuances and rules of...

Why start a social skills program? The question is not why, but why not? With inclusive education becoming the norm in schools nationwide, teachers often struggle to address students non-academic needs, but teachers need ready-to-use lessons that won't interfere with their curriculum. Quest Program II is a social skills program created to help middle school students with autism who struggle with social skills and pragmatic language. Developed by a school social worker and speech language pathologist, the program uses an intensive, proactive approach to teaching social skills, combining...