A Mission-Driven Team

Empowerment for a better life and a better world. iSocial is centered entirely on the neurodiverse individuals we support.

Providing much more than expected to the neurodiverse community

Mission

To radically improve the lives of people with autism

Philosophy

Autism Affirming and Strength based.

Philosopher

Plato wrote, "Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better and able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each."

Methodology

Our clients develop from within using active participation with carefully matched peers. Opposite of passive reading and memorizing. That was just memorizing and obedience wearing a mask.

Motto

"Nothing About Us Without Us" We selected the top team members and 38% are on the spectrum

Culture

Caring people. Much more than just workshops. Even after graduating, clients don't leave iSocial and still meet once a week.

Research

University research and 17 peer reviewed technical articles prove efficacy with 900 participants. Communications confidence increased by 44% on the Social Responsiveness Scale

Unexpected

Clients, counselors and practitioners are surprised by our ability to listen and flexibility in helping our clients and those who care for them

Programs and Offerings

Both curriculums are supported by weekly social groups tailored to specific life stages.

iSocial Student

Middle school and high school

Social Life—Adult

For more impacted individuals who want to start with the fundamentals

PCLS (Professional Communications and Leadership Skills)

Advanced skills for workplace and professional settings

iSocial Employment for the Neurodiverse (iSEND)

An employment lab creating job-seeking plans, assets, and a portfolio.

"Keeping-it-Fresh" Workshops

Weekly continuing development for iSocial graduates

Our Partners

Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The University of Missouri

The Frist Center for Autism and Innovation

Vanderbilt University

About Our Logo

A vision for progress. We had three distinct images in mind when designing the iSocial brand identity.

Inclusion

iSocial is the “I” in DEIA—neurodistinct inclusion. Social and leadership skills provide the essential foundation for successful advancement.

Velocity

Represented by the racing “S”, it highlights the momentum in the lives of participants and the speed of change driving our community forward.

Power

Symbolizes our powerful mission statement: iSocial is resolved to radically improving the lives of the neurodistinct.

Evidence-Based References

Seventeen peer-reviewed technical articles comprise the evidence-based support of the approach.

Wang, X., Laffey, J. Xing, W., Ma, Y., Galyen, K., Stichter., J.P. (2017). Fostering verbal and non-verbal social interactions in a 3D collaborative virtual learning environment: a case study of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Stichter, J. P., Laffey, J., Galyen, K. & Herzog, M.J. (2014). iSocial: Delivering the Social Competency Intervention for Adolescents (SCI-A) in a 3D virtual learning environment for youth with high functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Christ, S. E., Stichter, J. P., O'Connor, K. V., Bodner, K., Moffitt, A. J., & Herzog, M. J. (2017). Social Skills Intervention Participation and Associated Improvements in Executive Function Performance.

Stichter, J.P., Herzog, M., Kilgus, S.P., and Schoemann, A.M. (2017). Exploring the Moderating Effects of Cognitive Abilities on Social Competence Intervention Outcomes, Behavior Modification.

Laffey, J., Stichter, J.P., & Galyen, K. (2014). Distance learning for students with special needs through 3D virtual learning. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments.

Schmidt, C. & Stichter, J.P. (2012). The use of peer-mediated interventions to promote the generalization of social competence for adolescents with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Bauminger, N. (2002). “The facilitation of social-emotional understanding and social interaction in high-functioning children with autism: intervention outcomes,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Rao, P. A., Beidel, D. C., & Murray, M. J. (2008). Social skills interventions for children with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism: A review and recommendations.

See the Real-World Impact

65% of participants show immediate improvement in all five Social Responsiveness Scale sub-scales. Read how iSocial is changing lives.