Teacher's Corner
The Power Card Stategy:
The Power-Puff Girls Play a Game
by Katherine Keeling
(Dec. 01)

The Power Card Strategy is a way to use a child's special interest to motivate children and youth. Since many children with Asperger Syndrome and autism tend to have highly developed special interests, this strategy is especially beneficial for this population.

Briefly, the Power Card Strategy is a visual aid that incorporates the child's special interest to teach appropriate social interactions, including routines, behavior expectations, the meaning of language and the hidden curriculum. It is effective because it takes into account the unique characteristics of children and youth with Asperger Syndrome and autism.

The Power Card Strategy consists of two parts:
1.) a brief scenerio or character sketch describing how the hero solves a problem
2.) the POWER CARD which recaps how the child can use the same strategy to solve a similar problem

For example, Nancy, a nine-year-old girl with a diagnosis of autism has a great deal of difficulty when she loses a game. This behavior was demonstrated in a variety of situations at school as well as at home. The following scenerio was created featuring the Power- Puff Girls, Nancy's special interest.

The Power-Puff Girls Play a Game
By Katherine Keeling

The Power-Puff Girls like to play games. Sometimes they win the game. When they win games the Power Puff Girls feel happy. They might smile, give each other a high five or say "yea!" But sometimes they lose the game. When they lose games the Power-Puff Girls might not feel happy. They might take a deep breath, say "good job" to their friend or say, "maybe next time."

The Power-Puff Girls" want every one to have fun playing games. They want you to remember these three things when playing games the Power-Puff way:

1. Games should be fun for everyone.
2. If you win a game you can; smile, give a high five, or say, "yea!"
3. If you lose a game you can: Take a deep breath, say, "good job" to your friend or "maybe next time."

A laminated POWER CARD with the steps to play a game like the Power-Puff Girls was also developed. This card consisted of the three steps listed in the scenerio and a picture of the Power-Puff Girls.

Although this strategy has been used with only a few students, recent studies have shown it to be an effective way to increase appropriate behavior in a variety of settings.

More information about the POWER CARD strategy can be found in the newly published book on the subject: Power Cards: Using Special Interests to Motivate Children and youth with Asperger Syndrome and Autism available from the Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Artist: Nicole Welch 5th Grade In the picture of Nicole looking up at the Power Puff Girls, Nicole's ponytail holder is colored with the crayon called "Macaroni and Cheese" - her favorite food.