Small Factory Productions' Animation Software Enhances Social Skills of Children in Monmouth County

FAIR HAVEN, N.J. - April 11, 2014 - PRLog -- Computers serve as a portal to endless strains of information, but there is one area of study that few people associate these machines with: social skills. Small Factory Productions is changing that paradigm with its new animation software program for children with special needs, ages five and older. On Thursday, April 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., the arts and technology studio located at 560 River Road, Suite C in Fair Haven, NJ will host an Open House, allowing children and their families to experience the software and social language program at no cost.

The proprietary software, developed by Small Factory's Chris Dudick and Speech and Language Pathologist Bernadette Mullen, brings together an unlikely pair: computer games and the acquisition of social skills. It is the keynote of Small Factory Productions’ Social Skills Program, which gives children — both on and off the autism spectrum — the opportunity to enhance their interactions with other individuals.

The Social Skills Program is held at Small Factory Productions in Fair Haven and Speech Start in Hazlet. Classes take place on Wednesday and Thursday, and each session costs $50. Insurance may cover the costs of the course.  Registration for the Open House on April 24 is requested as space is limited. Call 732-212-1088 to register and with questions.

About the Social Skills Software
Using this animation software, students create avatars and guide them through social situations that are played out on the screen. The player speaks into a microphone and talks through his or her character, later receiving responses — through animated facial expressions and body language —from other avatars programmed into the game. With different scripts being used to illustrate varying scenarios, the program allows students to act out multiple scenes.

But it’s not just the software that helps students internalize the lessons. The program is rounded out by an enriching classroom experience led by Mullen, a speech and language pathologist who has worked with children on the autism spectrum for the past 20 years.

“What I love about the game is that it’s interactive,” said Mullen, adding that such interaction extends beyond the software itself. “The scripts can be integrated into a student’s life as a point of reference, serving as a reminder to him or her of the appropriate behavior to exhibit. For example, a child who is struggling with the concept of losing can learn about the proper ways to deal with it. This gives students an opportunity to correct their own behavior.”

As both a speech language pathologist and as a special education teacher, Mullen has had keen insight into how language skills are crucial for academic success. She is currently a practicing, licensed Speech and Language Pathologist and owns Operates Speech Start where she has been in private practice for twelve years.

The students are guided before and after they use the software. Personal attention is given to each of the 12 to 14 students enrolled each semester, ranging from age 5 to 14. When students first join the class, they work with their parents to fill out a “social skills menu,” which is unique to each student. The families can pinpoint areas that need improvement, and the scripts and classroom exercises are then tailored to the participant. Given a combination of group discussions and board/card game sessions, students can leave the rest of the day behind and focus on self-improvement in an encouraging environment.

“The program is really nice because the kids are 100 percent engaged,” said Beth Keefe, Social Skills instructor at Knollwood School where it has been piloted. “The Fair Haven School, along with its counterpart Sickles School, partnered with Small Factory to bring the program to more students.”

Parents and local school members have reported that social skills have improved among students involved with the program.

"Our son has been fortunate enough to attend the Social Skills group for many years now. Our son has many social challenges and has difficulty using language to interact. This group has helped him tremendously and we feel blessed to be included in this activity. He continues to learn more conversational language and has a better understanding of emotions. Bernadette and Chris have put together a perfect group of peers for my son to engage with. The strategies, format and activities they utilize to engage are terrific and my son loves coming to group. We would highly recommend this program to any family struggling with a child who needs help with social skills.  We wish Social Skills Group could happen seven days a week! " said Stella Price, Red Bank.

About Small Factory Productions
Small Factory Productions, located at 560 River Road, Suite C in Fair Haven, NJ, helps to build innovative young minds through its children's arts and technology programs. Small Factory's instructors have created exciting art programs that meet NJ and NY Core Content Standards for Language Arts, Literacy and Visual and Performing Arts. Students in classes at Small Factory's production studio and at more than 30 public and private schools across New York and New Jersey have improved, both academically and socially, thanks to Small Factory's unique curriculum.