The Innovative Technology
SkillFlix® is a patent-pending training technology that uses streaming video models for skill development. Each carefully sequenced and short video models a unique element of a skill, or Microskill®. Available anytime and anywhere internet connectivity is available, it has been applied and researched on a variety of types of skills, all with positive results.
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Product Description
This video-based resource hones parents’ skills to have satisfying conversations about “healthy relationships and sex” with their teens with mild cognitive impairment and/or on the autism spectrum. The videos model communication with teens with reciprocal verbal communication skills.
The collection includes 77 videos and supplemental resources, such as a parent handbook aligned with the videos.
Among Microskills modeled you’ll find what to do if you don’t know an answer to a question, how to share your values and behavioral expectations, how to teach about consent and boundary setting, and how to assess your child’s readiness for different discussion topics. Topics featured include talking about masturbation, puberty, sexting, porn, sexual orientation, healthy relationship skills, and many, many more.
Pilot Finding Briefs
SkillFlix for Parents IDD is the merging of two collections which were evaluated separately, one a collection focusing on youth in special ed classrooms with mild cognitive impairment, the other focusing on youth on the spectrum. Findings from both pilots were positive.
The SkillFlix for Parent ASD pilot followed 20 dyads of parents and their children on the spectrum – coding their discussions before SkillFlix and again after SkillFlix,and conducting pre- and post-surveys. The pilot found that parents significantly increased:
—use of Microskills demonstrated per minute
—perceived skill level in discussing sex
—comfort during conversations
—perception of effectiveness of conversation
The SkillFlix for Parent Special Ed pilot surveyed 10 parents who had used the resource and found that their:
—confidence to talk with their teen about healthy relationships and sex increased dramatically
—frequency in discussing a myriad of topics increased dramatically – topic include values and expectations related to sexual activity, sexually transmitted diseases, consent and what it means to say “no,” sexual orientation, and healthy romantic relationships
Parents are Saying...
“The videos encouraged us to be direct and straight-to-the-point with our conversations. The videos also reminded us it’s OK to say we need more time to think about a question and to revisit the subject later. This approach has been very successful in our home.” --Parent of teen son with CI
"I’m actually talking to him about this now, it gave me the tools that I needed to start that conversation."--Parent of a teenage son with autism
“We are more likely now to point something out in a show that may/may not align with our feelings/morals. This usually leads to other questions and conversation.” --Parent of a teen daughter with autism
Expert Advisors
Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., Executive Director of the Epic School. Founding chair of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research., New Jersey
Shana Nichols, PhD, Founder of the ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, New York
Sarah Curtiss, PhD, Dept. of Counseling, Educational Psychology, & Special Education, Michigan State University
Laura Graham Holmes, PhD, Post-Doctoral Researcher, A. J. Drexel Autism Institute Drexel University, Pennsylvania
Cheryl Blair, EdD, Health Education Coordinator, Kent Intermediate School District, Michigan
Renee Wyman, Award Winning Special Education Teacher, Founder of Best Prom Ever, Sparta High School, Michigan
Nicolette Harris, MA, Learning Specialist with Educational Psychology Certification, Spring Hill School, California
Development and Research Funded by
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Grant #1R41HD094406 >
Office of Population Affairs & Kent ISD
Award #TP2AH000055
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If you need an organizational subscription contact Regina Firpo-Triplett at regina.firpo@dfusioninc.com 831-222-5094.
Other SkillFlix Channels
This collection of modeling videos and printable materials prepares and supports pharmacy staff to take part in California’s harm reduction Non-Prescription Syringe Sales (NPSS) Program using strategies that comply with the law and treat staff and customers with respect.
Pilot Findings Brief: The MicroSkills® training was well received by pharmacy staff and the training significantly improved the quality of service pharmacy staff provided to persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) and pharmacy compliance with California NPSS laws and provisions. While this was a small pilot test, the increase in total skills demonstrated during a NPS sale and improvement in nearly all MicroSkills® was impressive and significant. This in turn successfully resulted in PWIDs reporting good experiences at the pharmacy which may result in PWIDs frequenting pharmacies for their syringes, reducing sharing of injection equipment and providing them with access to knowledgeable pharmacists that can partner in ensuring that they inject safely, have access to wound care information and supplies, and referrals to treatment and other resources in the community.
Funded by: Centers for Disease and Prevention #75D30118P02603
Available now! Contact regina.firpo@dfusioninc.com
A collection of Microskill videos to prepare and support educators to teach sexual health topics, and effectively answer sensitive questions and create a LGBT affirming learning environments. The 70 video collection includes 12 videos for the special ed classroom.
Pilot Findings Brief: The pilot evaluation results support the study’s hypothesis that short videos focused on Microskills modeling can have a significant and rapid effect on skills acquisition, and that these effects can occur even when users may be more focused on learning content rather than skill acquisition. As this form of training is program agnostic, it can therefore be applicable to educators teaching any number of evidence-based sexual health curriculum as well as their own internally developed sexual health lessons.*
*Reynolds, L.; Dull Akers D.; Hoffman B..; Kuhn T., and Firpo-Triplett R. 2020 (pending). Breaking Down the Skills: Designing and Pilot-Testing a Video-Based Microskills® Training for Sexual Health Educators. American Journal of Sexuality Education
Funded by: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development #R43HD088216
Available now! Contact regina.firpo@dfusioninc.com
