Power Card Strategies

Power Card Strategy involves including special interests with visual aids to teach and reinforce academic, behavioral and social skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since many children with Asperger Syndrome and autism tend to have highly developed special interests, this strategy is especially beneficial for this population. By using their special interest, the individual is motivated to use the strategy presented in the scenario and on the power card. It is a positive strategy that is often entertaining as well as inexpensive and simple to develop.

When can the Power Card Strategy be used?

It can be used when an individual lacks the understanding of his/her expectations, to clarify choices, to teach cause and effect between a specific behavior and its consequence, to teach another's perspective, to aid in generalization, or as a visual reminder of appropriate behavioral expectations of a situation.

What are the components of the Power Card Strategy?

1. A brief script of the special interest and the situation being addressed for the individual is created. It should be written at the individual's comprehension level and should include relevant pictures or graphics. Initially, the script should be read on a scheduled basis as the student learns to use the power card.
2. The power card is the size of a trading card and includes a small picture of the special interest and the solution to the problem situation broken into three to five steps. The power card is created from the script and can be carried by the student.

Power card example

The materials below were created by Laura Dickenson, a teacher in Unit #5, Normal, Illinois. They were developed to help a young woman with autism learn game playing skills.

Power card strategy script

The Survivors play a game

The contestants on Survivor love to play games! In fact, playing games on the show is how they win rewards or win immunity. Sometimes the players and teams win their games, but sometimes, they lose. When they win, they give each other "high fives," smile or say, "Alright!" When they lose their game, the Survivors might not be happy. They could take a deep breath and say, "Maybe next time," or say "Good job" to their opponent. The contestants on Survivor think everyone should have fun playing games. They also want you to remember three things when playing games with other people:

1. Games should be fun for everyone.
2. If you win a game, you can: Smile, give high fives, or say, "Alright!"
3. If you lose a game, you can: Take a deep breath and say, "Good job" to the opponent or say, "Maybe next time."

Play games the Survivor way and your friends will have fun playing games with you!

Power card

Front of power card has the logo on it.
Back of power card
The contestants on Survivor think everyone should have fun playing games. They also want you to remember three things when playing games with other people:

1. Games should be fun for everyone.
2. If you win a game, you can: Smile, give high fives, or say, "Alright!"
3. If you lose a game, you can: Take a deep breath and say, "Good job" to the opponent or say, "Maybe next time."

Resources

Book

Myles, B. S., Trautman, M. L., & Schlevan, R. L. (2006). The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations. Autism Asperger Publishing Company: Shawnee Mission, KS.

Web site

Autism Asperger Publishing Company