Kindness Café: Promoting Communication and Life Skills in School Settings
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| Title: | Kindness Café: Promoting Communication and Life Skills in School Settings |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Heather Kurto (ORCID |
| Source: | Intervention in School and Clinic. 2026 61(5):267-273. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Communication Skills, Daily Living Skills, Skill Development, Positive Behavior Supports, Students with Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Inclusion, Evidence Based Practice, Direct Instruction, Program Design, Program Implementation, Peer Teaching |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10534512261420840 |
| ISSN: | 1053-4512 1538-4810 |
| Abstract: | The Sand Creek Kindness Café is a school-based Tier 2 intervention within the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, designed to support communication, social interaction, and functional life skills for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and complex communication needs. The café integrates evidence-based practices (EBPs), including explicit instruction, peer-mediated instruction, and positive reinforcement, within structured, socially meaningful routines. Students utilize augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, visual supports, and scaffolded instruction to engage in authentic interactions, fostering independence, social engagement, and generalization of skills across contexts. Implementation of the Kindness Café has demonstrated increased opportunities for functional communication, expanded vocabulary, and enhanced autonomy in real-world settings. This article details the café's design, implementation, and data-driven instructional strategies, offering practical guidance for educators seeking to replicate or adapt the model in inclusive school environments. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503460 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The Sand Creek Kindness Café is a school-based Tier 2 intervention within the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, designed to support communication, social interaction, and functional life skills for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and complex communication needs. The café integrates evidence-based practices (EBPs), including explicit instruction, peer-mediated instruction, and positive reinforcement, within structured, socially meaningful routines. Students utilize augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, visual supports, and scaffolded instruction to engage in authentic interactions, fostering independence, social engagement, and generalization of skills across contexts. Implementation of the Kindness Café has demonstrated increased opportunities for functional communication, expanded vocabulary, and enhanced autonomy in real-world settings. This article details the café's design, implementation, and data-driven instructional strategies, offering practical guidance for educators seeking to replicate or adapt the model in inclusive school environments. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1053-4512 1538-4810 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10534512261420840 |
