PEERspective Learning Approach helps create a more kind, empathetic and accepting environment for students to learn from each other!
BY JENNIFER M. SCHMIDT, M.Ed.
& SARA ANDERSON, M.Ed.
Be a Friend
A book providing perspective on autism and teaching others to be a friend through Accepance, Kindness, and Empathy.
Click to download a printable promotional sheet about this book.
Other Books
“Let’s create a class instead of the typical social skills programs!” With this statement began the development of this innovative evidence-based curriculum for secondary students with ASD and their neurotypical (NT) peers. PEERspective is a complete curriculum that teaches high school students self-awareness, self-acceptance, relationship building, conflict resolution, managing stress and wellness, and many other topics that have lifelong impact on students’ lives. The curriculum is popular among students with ASD as well as their NT peers, leading to friendships and relationships far beyond the classroom.
Students with autism are often brilliant but struggle to get and keep jobs due to social skill deficits and splinter skills. This book will help students start thinking socially through intentional social skill lessons based on evidence based practice including peer based instruction and intervention. Using peers to teach social skills is an easy way to shift the culture and climate of your entire school building and even district.
Jennifer M. Schmidt, M.Ed.
Jennifer M. Schmidt, M.Ed., is a special education teacher with 27 years of teaching experience in both general and special education settings. She piloted the PEERspective Learning Approach in 2007 and continues to teach the Communication Class based on the PEERspective Model at Beavercreek High School. Jennifer is a passionate educator, presenting at conferences about PEERspective, autism, and special education. She was recognized as Beavercreek City Schools Teacher of the Year in 2012 and received the Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year recognition in 2014. Jennifer is also an accomplished author, with her books “Why didn’t they just say that?” and “Yes, please tell me!” receiving awards and nominations. She is committed to helping other schools find success in teaching pragmatic language to students on the autism spectrum through the PEERspective model, believing that educating peers about autism creates a more empathetic and kind learning environment for all students.
JENNIFER M. SCHMIDT, M.Ed.
& SARA ANDERSON, M.Ed.
About the authors of “Be a friend”
Jennifer M. Schmidt is an Intervention Specialist (Special Educator) at Beavercreek High School in Beavercreek, Ohio. Jennifer has 25 years of teaching experience in both general and special education settings. She began working closely with students with autism while teaching in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and was trained in the TEACCH method. At BHS, Jennifer and her now retired Speech & Language Pathologist colleague piloted their Communication Class in the fall of 2007, and the class continues to this day and utilizes the PEERspective Learning Approach; since then, neighboring school districts have adopted the same model with similar success.
Sara Woolf Anderson graduated from The University of Notre Dame with an English degree in 2007 and has always been immersed in the world of writing in various ways. She has freelanced for a variety of businesses and individuals, providing her with experience in producing profile pieces, SEO web copy, B2C email marketing, copywriting, ghostwriting, content writing, curriculum writing, and more. Sara has also taught hundreds of students the art of writing well.
“My autism isn’t a disease, it’s a gift.”
– Joseph
For far too long, we have looked at exceptionalities, such as autism, as a problem to be solved. When Joseph proudly announced that he was beginning to see his autism as a gift, I knew that the paradigm had shifted. Do people on the spectrum have to overcome challenges to find success in life? Sure, but don’t we all? It’s time we start shifting our thinking towards a new approach to intentionally teach these skills, and PEERspective allows us to do that.
The above is an excerpt from the widely popular book “Why Didn’t They Just Say That?” by Jennifer M. Schmidt, M.Ed.
Professional Development & Public Speaking
Jennifer has spoken nationally and internationally about a variety of special education topics. Evaluations of her presentations include comments about how she infuses practical advice from her 27 years of experience in the field. Her passion for the field of special education and her students is evident in all of her speaking engagements. When speaking, Jennifer focuses on strategies that are both evidence based and easy to implement through anecdotal stories and concrete examples. Below is a list of topics Jennifer has spoken about but other suggested topics are always encouraged.
- Job specific social communication training (i.e. educators, health care providers, managers etc.)
- PEERspective peer coach training
- PEERspective: a new approach to teaching students with autism social skills
- Evidence Based Practices for students with autism
- Autism
- Mild autism
- Mild autism/college bound students
- Peer mentoring and other EBP for students on the spectrum
- Social skill intervention
- Video modeling
- Using film to teach social skills to students with special needs.
- Working with paraprofessionals
- Working with parents, taking their perspective
- Transition for students on the spectrum and students with special needs
- Parenting a child with ADHD
If you would like Jen to speak at your event, please make your request by filling out the contact form below.