SOS Strategies Offer Solutions! (Jarvis, Ruthann and Peterson, Elizabeth, 2006)

Functional Life Strategies and Skills

Introduction

Strategies Offer Solutions (SOS) is a new approach to service delivery that is a complete strategy-based program. All activities simulate real life experiences that are adaptable for any age, ranging from pre-school to late adolescent populations. Since the turn of the century, service delivery models have changed. Therapists are being challenged with enormous caseloads, multiple job locations and may have the new added responsibility for training and supervising assistants.

Strategies Offer Solutions (SOS) is a structured program which is also “assistant friendly”. Each unit is clearly outlined, allowing therapists or paraprofessionals to implement goal-directed therapy programs emphasizing strategy training as opposed to doing drill work or game-based activities. Strategy-based programs facilitate insight and awareness into deficits allowing students to own responsibility and accountability for their success. This program was developed to meet the current challenges of service delivery models by providing functional strategy-based activities that will meet individual and large group needs. These strategies can easily be carried over into the home and classroom by parents, teachers and other team members reminding students of their strategies.

SOS The Perfect “Solution” for Delivering Therapy

All SOS program activities are focused around strategies and goals. Every student applies one or more of their SOS strategies when completing the provided activities to experience success. Lessons are always goal directed and strategy based. This allows the therapist to provide quality sessions without the pressure of planning goal-directed lessons.

SOS Strategies: Types and Styles

SOS strategies all consist of a mnemonic formula that spells S.O.S. for easy recall. The types and styles of the SOS strategies vary depending on the topic it addresses.

Some SOS strategies consist of three directions that are organized in a hierarchy. Your student learns and applies these strategies in order [1st-2nd-3rd] allowing them to have a successful outcome.

Some SOS strategies consist of three directions that can be done in any order allowing your student to have a successful outcome.

Some of the SOS strategies focus around education. Your student is not expected to memorize the strategies. Rather, the focus of the lessons center around the strategies. Students practice the strategies with goal-directed lessons and the end result is success.

Flexibility is available on how the strategies are presented to students. The factor that remains consistent is every program is strategy-based and goal directed!

Strategies Offer Solutions (SOS) is a new approach to therapy that offers the solution for today’s challenging environment.

SOS “Does” the Job! How DOES it do it?

The SOS program is designed to be three short strategies or commands for students to achieve goal-directed behavior. All three strategies or commands are outlined in an SOS formula for easy recall. Through the use of a nautical theme, students are introduced to the concept of a “lifesaver” which can be their tool for help when in “troubled water”. When speech difficulties occur, ineffective communication is the result. If a child has a strategy to compensate for their challenged area, they will experience success. This program gives them those strategies.

Each unit is organized with a “D.O.E.S” format. SOS Does the Job!

“D” represents, Define It. Students are taught to recognize their deficits and define their three SOS strategies

“O” represents, Own It. Students are introduced to simple activities to acquaint themselves with their newly learned strategies so that they can begin to take full ownership of their strategies.

“E” represents, Evaluate It. Students are now able to evaluate the effectiveness of their new strategies with functional based activities.

“S” represents, Start Applying It! Students are now using their strategies with realistic, functional activities that promote necessary life skills for communication success.

The “DOES” is organized as a hierarchy, introducing skills and strategies at a basic level while progressing to higher-level functionally-based communication. A different boat or nautical theme has been chosen to differentiate each SOS unit.

Special Highlights

Ideal for therapists who travel to multiple sites or supervise assistants wanting to implement quality goal-directed therapy.
A therapist or assistant is “ready to go” with reproducible materials. Minimal planning or preparation is required to implement programs.
Easy to involve and familiarize teachers, resource specialists, psychologists, parents and paraprofessionals with strategies that will promote carryover in the classroom, home and community.
Goals and objectives are provided for each unit and are also benchmark measurable.
Many of the units can be taught in a classroom, large group or used in collaborative models.
Each chapter is organized in the same format to facilitate familiarity throughout the units.
A wide variety of different activities are available to practice each strategy for all ages.
Provides lessons for quick review of strategies when conflicts in therapy schedules and groupings arise.
Strategies are easily adaptable to core curriculum.

Unique Features

Sequence Cards are provided in each unit for practice and reinforcement and to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies.
Reproducible SOS strategy visual cue cards are available to send home with students or post in classrooms as a visual reminder.
An SOS Game Board has been created with individualized activities from each unit.
Parent/Teacher educational training brochures and letters are included.