Information 

SIGNA was developed and is supervised by clinical faculty from the Department of Hearing and Speech Clinic (HESP) and the University of Maryland Autism Research Consortium (UMARC) in Le Frak Hall.

communication Coaches

HESP Master's graduate students in speech-language pathology are called Communication Coaches.  They program and implement individual treatment sessions with each SIGNA member.  The skills worked on are based on each member's input, standardized test measures and observation and may be related to social interaction and executive functioning skills that help the member learn ways to organize themselves around the many academic expectations and settings on campus. At times, with the member's permission, parents, friends and significant others may share their impressions related to the member's social interaction and executive functioning strengths and needs.
Peer Coaches & Peer Mentors
Peer Coaches are UMD undergraduate students who plan and implement the SIGNA member group time using the evidence-based Young Adult PEERS® social interaction program developed by UCLA to help them navigate a variety of social situations on and off campus  They also plan monthly social activities for the group.
Peer Mentors are undergraduate students in HESP who may be matched with a SIGNA member during the semester (particularly in the member's first year of participation). Peer Mentors do weekly 'check-ins' with the SIGNA team (e.g., SIGNA faculty, Communication Coaches) to follow-up on successes and needs that are related to the group setting.
Information from 'check-ins' that are shared with the SIGNA clinical faculty and Communication Coaches will help support the SIGNA member in order to ensure effective collaboration, communication and continuity related to the Young Adult PEERS® social interaction program.The Communication Coach will then work closely with the member to problem-solve, practice and use newly-learned skills so that they are better equipped to successfully accomplish personal life goals.
Picture
SIGNA members go bowling at TerpZone.
Picture
Peer mentors and SIGNA members celebrate a 21st birthday at Board and Brew.

WHAT are some of the things the Signa members will learn?

conversation skills

Listening skills

Interview skills

Making & keeping friends

Interpreting tone of voice, facial expressions & body language

Conflict resolution
​skills

Navigating campus life & the professional world

Executive Functioning skills

 dating and romantic relationships

Understanding and expressing 
​humor, figurative language and idioms

understanding emotions and the perspective of others

What Else Do We Do?

Social Activities

Picture
SIGNA members and their Peer Coaches play an evening poker game.

Professional Activities

SIGNA members dress up for mock interview night with Peer Coaches
Picture
SIGNA members get verbal feedback on their interview skills. They are encouraged to bring in their resume to get feedback on that as well.

Other topics/events may include:

  •  Learning how to join and become more involved with on-campus organizations & clubs
  • Learning to self-advocate 
  • Having opportunities to advocate for neuro-diversity issues
  • Starting and maintaining an on-campus organization/club
  • Attending University of Maryland Autism Research Consortium (UMARC) Community-wide Lectures about Autism Speaker Series (CLASS) events 
  • Joining the support group for "Autistics" run by Zach Tumlin, UMD graduate student, who is a person with autism. Please email:   ztumlin@terpmail.umd.edu 
  • Participating in campus or smaller group events (e.g., sports & music events, meals, other social outings, family meet & greet, etc.)