What in the world is it?

• We've been teaching social skills to our students for over a decade. We've seen what works, what doesn't, and had hundreds of experiences with the hundreds of students we've served. And now we want to share all of it with you. This will consist of a two-day training on May 20-21 at ScenicView's campus in Provo, UT. 

What's the cost?

• The cost is $150 and includes training materials and lunch each day.

Why is a 2-day training so gosh-darn cheap?

• Our aim is to provide high-quality trainings for our staff, the community, and other professionals for the lowest cost possible. In other words, we're simply trying to cover our expenses. Offering affordable trainings is one way we're able to honor the generosity of our founders and spread the word about SVA. We've been following this training model for 4 years and it's worked great. The number of attendees at each training is growing.

Who's it for?

• This training focuses on how to work with youth and young adults who are on the autism spectrum (primarily Level 1 diagnosis). Our goal is to give you some over arching guidance, but then help you in taking a close look at how you can improve your teaching methods to meet the needs of the individuals you work with.
• Those that will benefit most from this training are mental health professionals and educators teaching social skills in their respective settings. 

What exactly will you be teaching us?

• There's 5 key pieces to our training:
  • "I Don't Need $@#% Social Skills" And Other Things Our Students Have Told Us. In this section we discuss what we refer to as the "social divide"--elements that keep our students from connecting including a lack of skills, social fears, and a lack of motivation. We'll discuss how to address each area.
  • Iceburg Dead Ahead! Helping Our Students Navigate the Beneath-the-Surface Elements that Can Make or Sink Relationships. Our students often struggles because they aren't looking at the full-picture when it comes to relationships. This section will discuss how to help them learn important elements of social interaction including recognizing what others are thinking and feeling, and showing empathy.
  • Conversations & Costco Cake: Improving Conversational Skills. Our students sometimes figuratively gobble up the whole metaphorical conversation cake while others throw it back in the face of those they are trying to get to know. We'll discuss tips for improving ones conversational ability. 
  • Start with Ice Cream: Helping Students Work past Challenges that Come Up in Relationships. It's not enough to build a relationship. Our students need help in keeping those relationships alive.
  • Using Your Purple Crayon: Applying What You've Learned To Your Students. That's great that you've had 2-days of training, but now what? Rather than just sending you off with a pat on the back, we've build time into the training to help you identify what will be different in your next social skills lesson. ​

What if I'm coming from out of town? 
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We are especially excited to have you! We have relationships with local hotels. Contact us at our main number, we we will see what deals we currently have available. ​

What if I can't make it to a training at ScenicView?
Then how about we come to you? Contact us at [email protected] to visit about pricing for sending our staff to train you at your facility. 

Who will be training us?

​The training will be conducted by:​​

​Ryan Hawks, CHMC, CTRS.  Ryan has a bachelors degree in recreation therapy, and a Masters degree in mental health counseling. In his role of Creative Development, his focus is on creating programs and tools to help students become more empowered to live on their own.  One of his favorite projects has been designing graphics and helping to author SVA's social skills book, The Bridges We Build: The Art of Making Friends. He has been teaching social skills at ScenicView for over 8 years. He has been trained by Elizabeth Laugeson in UCLA's PEERS for Young Adults, WhyTry, and VitalSmart's Crucial Conversations & Change Anything trainings. In November 2018, he will be trained by Michelle Garcia Winner in Social Thinking. He enjoys sports, graphic design, reading, and spending time with his wife and four kids (which include the cutest twin girls in the world.)

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​Scott Wood, CHMC. Scott is SVA's vocational supervisor.  He graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.  Scott has worked for ScenicView since it opened, and has enjoyed seeing its growth, and seeing the students benefit from the services provided at ScenicView.  Scott also works with the WHY TRY organization as a National Training Consultant helping youth and others develop the social and emotional skills necessary to reach their goals. He enjoys spending time with his family, being in the outdoors, and participating in sports.

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