Superflex Curriculum Resources

The Superflex Curriculum is a great tool for teaching younger kids social skills.  It helps take the pressure off of the child by teaching them that we all have a team of Unthinkables that hinder our ability to take other people's perspectives.  The creators, Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner, recommend the curriculum for grades 2nd-5th, however I have used the information with children as young as 4 (depending on their cognitive level and emotional maturity).  The following handouts are meant to enrich the curriculum.  Be sure to click on the book above to visit the Social Thinking website with all of their amazing materials.

Superflex and The Unthinkables Books, Activities, and More!
Rock Brain 
Glassman
Brain Eater
Worry Wall
Body Snatcher
Topic Twistermeister
One-Sided Sid
WasFunnyOnce
Energy Hare-y
Mean Jean
Grump Grumpinany
Destroyer of Fun
Space Invader

Superflex and the Unthinkables Prezi for students
Superflex and The Unthinkables Prezi for adults
Short Prezi introducing Superflex
People are always thinking about us Prezi
Expected and Unexpected Behaviors in School Prezi

Think Social Vocabulary Think Social Vocabulary based the Michelle Garcia Winner's, Think Social Curriculum

VIDEO MODELING

Video modeling is an integral part of Therapy OPS's social skills groups. It is one on the most effective ways of teaching social skills and other positive behaviors for individuals on the Autism spectrum. While there are videos out there for purchase, we have always preferred using our own video collection. We try to choose age appropriate TV shows and videos that the participants enjoy and are motivated by. The videos often show an example of the "expected" and "unexpected" behaviors, to which we then pause and discuss with the group.

It is our goal to have several examples for each topic listed below; however this might take some time. Once you start tuning in to the idea of video modeling while watching shows and movies, you will notice that one episode or movie can be used as a teaching tool for many skills.

Therapy OPS word of Caution: Use caution when using some of these clips, as not all are appropriate for every age/maturity level. This is especially true for The Big Bang Theory. Time should be taken to watch each clip prior to showing it to the child to ensure there are no inappropriate topics or jokes.  

Apologizing Video Models

• Incredibles- scene 2

• The Big Bang Theory - Penny hurts Sheldon's feelings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzVSJk46kwM

Basic Conversation skills: Supportive Comments, Asking Questions, Adding our thoughts

• The Lorax - 4:50

• Incredibles-scene 10, 12, 17 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M68ndaZSKa8

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1): within first 5 minutes

• Big Bang Theory – season 2, episode 18 (Sheldon gives too much information) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5UbII_Q0_c

• Family Guy - a donkey disagrees and won't let the person talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yX_1gJ_51M

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1): within first 5 minutes (topic maintenance)

• Big Bang Theory: General Conversation skills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er6IQR8w7Ek&list=PL24ACDECD3659C384&index=3&feature=plpp_video

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon debates Xbox 1 vs PS4 and Amy isn't very interested but uses sarcasm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-E9cYyaSRI

• The Middle: picking a topic of conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nL-8H61Aiw

• Big Bang Theory: appropriate comments and reading body language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1_h5Pvzf90

• Big Bang Theory: Starting conversations in awkward ways (at 1:10, Sheldon refers to sex): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMMtk8OlrMk

• Big Bang Theory: conversation starter funny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVbldoXwPnc

• Big Bang Theory: Chess clock conversation that is supposed to ensure equal turns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1uS8KZbto

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon teaches Penny about Physics but doesn't consider what's important: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEIn3T6nDAo

Body Language

• Wallace and Gromit: any movie

• Big Bang Theory: especially Sheldon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkEdc0VdRlE

• Big Bang Theory: Penny teaches Sheldon about body language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vicuZS0ChYQ&index=17&list=PL1776D6E0BE98D9E6

• This is a quiz that gives great, specific information regarding facial expressions and emotions: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/ei_quiz/

• A great video about body language and presidential candidates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h_-X9hnYps

• Let it Shine: a rap battle (its Disney, so its clean) that demonstrates subtle nonverbal cues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi6wqfC0ljc

• We Bare Bears: Great clip that has 4+ unthinkables: rock brain, worry wall, mean jean, and topic twistermeister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tjZM7S3Uc

• The Middle: Brick "talks" for his birthday: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/video/pl5539592/VDKA0_n5bhd5qx

• Glee: glee club and jocks interact (the coach swears at 11 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY5LtUCP3qM

• Glee: facial expressions don't match the situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbdJgRvWEVk

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days: a great clip to read facial expressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksRL-RTES7c

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days: also great for motives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFLAWQnUs4

• Diary of Wimpy Kid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW0L86VZScs

Blurting (When the thinking bubble pops) Video Models

• Incredibles: scene 10

• The Lorax - 20:10 (Interrupting)

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1): within first 5 minutes

Complimenting & Accepting a Compliment Video Models

• Frankenweenie - 2:10

• The Princess Bride-scenes where the Dread Pirate Roberts duels Inigo and Fezzik http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zvffHu_wo

Competitiveness (Defeater of Fun) Video Models

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days -tennis scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWvCDN1Ohug

• Big Bang Theory - Sheldon and Kripke compete in sports for a new office: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x75tsn90lXw

• Big Bang Theory: The gang competes in a scavenger hunt (warning: language around 1:43, 2:32, and 3:15-3:22) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE_-b83RoZ8

• Video about being a good sport in gym class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ASdcjs32E

• Good Sportsmanship video with Captain Positi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFUYSEhKtWs

Dealing With Loss Video Models

• Frankenweenie - 16:00 (dog)

• Inside Out (a collection of clips from the movie): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cn1pYnAZSE

Encouraging Others Video Models

• Frankenweenie - 47:40

• The Lorax - 47:50

• Harry Potter: 2nd clip in is a great example of how not to encourage others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7OvS3SB3r0

Expectations

• Modern Family: different expectations for different people (also great for saying things we don't mean when we are angry): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vtsRyaD9Go

Eye contact Videos:

• The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - S02E04 - Heck's Kitchen: Good episode to show eye contact in different situations (sitting next to each other, behind each other, etc) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRZ4rrua8Ys

Expected/Unexpected Behavior Video Models

• Frankenweenie - 9:20

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-tons of examples, but especially when Veruca demands the geese's eggs (original version) or squirrel (2005 version).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWokepaJ1D8

• Incredibles-scene 6, 16-17

• Harry Potter: a collection of different clips that can be used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7OvS3SB3r0

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1): within first 5 minutes

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 3): within first 5 minutes

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days-opening scene at the pool (several examples)

• The Middle: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/video/pl5539592/VDKA0_n5bhd5qx

• The Middle - Mom eats Axel's toenails (swearing in the middle/end): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1VbI7jLB1I

• The Middle - Brick swaddles himself and Sue gets engaged (there is a few swear words towards the end): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWURY0HvoHE

• Big Bang Theory: unexpected behaviors in movie theater http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIY6DQSlbY&list=PL43A04C768D64FFD5&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Flexible Thinking (Rock Brain) Video Models

• Big Bang Theory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt_CL4Mrcq0&feature=related

• Parenthood (season 4 ,episode 2): within first 30 minutes

• Despicable Me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNXxJIhVALI

• Parenthood (season 4 ,episode 3): within first 5 minutes and 15:45

• We Bare Bears: Great clip that has 4+ unthinkables: rock brain, worry wall, mean jean, and topic twistermeister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tjZM7S3Uc

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: anything with Veruca Salt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWokepaJ1D8

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days – camping scene where they are setting up their campsite

• Big Bang Theory – Season 2, episode 18: Sheldon is inflexible when Penny says she might not waitress anymore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5UbII_Q0_c

• Student project that demonstrates Rockbrain thinking using only nonverbal communication: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLNiKH8Oaxk

• Several video clips of telling people they stole your seat (because you like to sit there): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3DY_WRmj7g

• Big Bang Theory: Penny gives Sheldon acting lessons and Sheldon has a hard time being flexible with improv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1meNHRlGEeM

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon tries to be flexible with a change in the food schedule: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt_CL4Mrcq0

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon and Penny complete a puzzle together. Sheldon must complete it in the "right" order and finish the puzzle before moving on to the next part of the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k97UCdnI-v

• Big Bang Theory: over-explaining the Back To The Future movie instead of just enjoying it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxadpNqVgL8

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon has a hard time with a magic trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkEdc0VdRlE

Figurative Language/Idioms Video Models

• Parenthood (season 4 ,episode 2): within last 30 minutes

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 3): within first 5 minutes

Gratitude Video Models

• Parenthood (season 4 ,episode 2): within last 30 minutes

Greetings Video Models

• Incredibles-scene 5

• Frankenweenie -4:20, 9:20

• Despicable Me - (greetings throughout) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3UIfaQtTo

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1) within first 30 minutes

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon leaves for a trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mPmxEnLx1

Humor/Joking (WasFunnyOnce) Video Models

• Incredibles-scene 5 (using an old joke)

• Henry Danger - Good for describing what is/isn't funny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXXBDKnPvjY

• Big Bang Theory: (Sheldon is the guest lecturer at the University): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws5tZ59JDDk

• Big Bang Theory: (Penny dates Zach and the guys make fun of him): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK-b1CtIATw

• Youtube video modeling rules of humor (insults): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeeepjiu2GM

• Youtube video modeling rules of humor (age appropriate): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45xu3z2SGts

• Youtube video modeling rules of humor (repeating jokes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y5e1MdtZEQ

• Youtube video modeling rules of humor (appropriate times): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsZ1pCuNN0Y

• Youtube video modeling rules of humor (inside jokes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQk9OBCAG4E

Impulse Control Video Models

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 2): within first 30 minutes

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 3): within first 5 minutes

• We Bare Bears: Great clip that has 4+ unthinkables: rock brain, worry wall, mean jean, and topic twistermeister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tjZM7S3Uc

• Inside Out (a collection of clips): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cn1pYnAZSE

Lying Video Models

• Incredibles-scene 8, 11

• The Lorax - 1:02

• Henry Danger: (especially second scene) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1wYYw_7ZIY

• Henry Danger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvm-QMyrX5U

• The Middle: Brick learns about fibbing (Frankie is in the bubble bath during the end of the scene): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK3gVcHWnNI&noredirect=1

Manners Video Models

• King of Queens: bad table manners (no talking, just sound effects, body language, and facial expressions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVt06gKIfEU

• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: bragging: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-GgWCBVhrg

Mean Jean Video Models

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days – pool scene where the girl asks the lifeguard a question

• We Bare Bears: Great clip that has 4+ unthinkables: rock brain, worry wall, mean jean, and topic twistermeister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tjZM7S3Uc

Motives Video Models

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy8-9ePwOnA

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR0MahIGUu0

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EVHKQRABHk

• Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9E-pfQWHZ4

• Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z56S0Q4Vebo

• Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcY-V2fjgeg

• Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZsQqvxr7_g

• The Middle: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/video/pl5539592/VDKA0_n5bhd5qx

• The Middle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK3gVcHWnNI&list=PL7F86F9853229142C&index=3

One Sided Sid Video Models

• Big Bang Theory - Sheldon teaches a college course http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws5tZ59JDDk

Personal Space (Space Invader) Video Models

• Frankenweenie - 10:20

• We Bare Bears: Great clip that has 4+ unthinkables: rock brain, worry wall, mean jean, and topic twistermeister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tjZM7S3Uc

• Despicable Me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A05n32Bl0aY

• The Lorax - 38:25 (including respecting others things)

• Seinfeld: Close talker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVSIkEi3mM&list=PL43A04C768D64FFD5

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon invades Leonard's space by breaking into his computer and then sitting too close (also shows unexpected behaviors in movie theater) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIY6DQSlbY&list=PL43A04C768D64FFD5&index=1&feature=plpp_video

• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doq_EUCSB5k

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days

  • opening scene in the pool

  • last day of school scene where Greg has to share a textbook with another student

Perspective Taking Video Models

• Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers

• Henry Danger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0MfXnAU2-g

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey9NGHY3izc

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaqAMkdFQ4A

• Simpsons: Lisa tells Milhouse that she likes another boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk_wWd8YQwQ

• The Middle: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/video/pl5539592/VDKA0_n5bhd5qx

• The Middle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7reA4nDyWYo

• Modern Family: Manny and Luke drive by a girl they like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQXPaRBCDVk

Predicting Video Models

• Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave

• Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers

• The Princess Bride-especially the scene where the Dread Pirate Roberts faces off with Vizzini the Sicilian over whose cup has the poison. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_eZmEiyTo0

Problem/Reaction Size (Glassman) Video Models

• Incredibles-scene 3 (Dash’s teacher) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5OxLRlBr0, Mr. Incredible with his car, scene 19

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1)

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 2)

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 3): within first 5 minutes

• Fairy Tail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70YnkyK2DT8

• Commercial: Principal has a meltdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDASxk5kiDw

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: anything with Veruca Salt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWokepaJ1D8

• The Middle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NkgcNy7gFs&list=PLE97CA9187DE8D649

• Oreo Commercial: Whisper fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=6kMWLYYcAYw

• Modern Family: Manny talks about letting things go but then goes off on a stranger in a movie theater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrXSKkMW07g

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days

  • opening scene where the brother pees in the pool. Greg doesn’t have a big reaction

  • Scene where dad unplugs all of the cables from the TV

Small Talk Video Models:

• The Ellen Show discusses small talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXxrFlgUK0Q

• What not to do while engaging in small talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2-8Fm1EUXw

• The Big Bang Theory (season 2, episode 21) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wDM0ymbG1E

• The Big Bang Theory (season 2, episode 21) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSIg9m1rn9w

• Big Bang Theory: talking about religion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW11mnnNjaM

Talking Too much/Too Little:

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon is a know-it-all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mPmxEnLx1Y

• Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcY-V2fjgeg

• Big Bang Theory: Talking during a movie/TV show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_mIEnnlF4

Topic Maintenance (Topic Twistermeister):

• We Bare Bears: Great clip that has 4+ unthinkables: rock brain, worry wall, mean jean, and topic twistermeister: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7tjZM7S3Uc

• News clip of child answering question with random answer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y

Turn taking Video Models

• Incredibles-scene 17 (conversational turns), 20-24 (take turns using the remote)

Tone of Voice Video Models

• The Middle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7reA4nDyWYo

• Big Bang Theory: Penny teaches Sheldon about a robotic voice and body language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vicuZS0ChYQ&index=17&list=PL1776D6E0BE98D9E6

• funny video that demonstrates happy and sad voices without visuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8RYfweJ8o

• Jerry Seinfeld's stand up about tone of voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b44ZL3L1nfo

Self-Advocacy Video Models

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 3): within last 5 minutes (Max decides he's going to run for student counsel so he can try to get what he wants at school)

Siblings Video Models

• Parenthood (season 4, episode 1): within first 10 minutes

The Social Fake Video Models

• The Middle: (Sue tries really hard to fake liking something she's trying to sell) http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/video/PL5539592/_m_VDKA0_gf41rcg5

• Henry Danger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1wYYw_7ZIY

• Boy Meets World: Eric has to fake liking a song...until the end (also has a big reaction): http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/video/PL5539592/_m_VDKA0_gf41rcg5

• The Big Bang Theory (Sheldon has to pretend he's happy for Raj): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8me9Dg8Yfw

• The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon fakes being interested in watching the movie Halloween: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk3DmdViWXE

The Social Filter Video Models

• Elf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMa5RdS15XU

• Elf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tIcnydrwFY

• Bunk’d: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAvLxhterAs

• Bunk’d: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM_IW-bI3Is

Uncomfortable thoughts Video Models          

• Parenthood (season 4 ,episode 3): 15:45

• Big Bang Theory: Sheldon is trying to train Penny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_mIEnnlF4

• Big Bang Theory: talking about religion and talking about Howard's clothes (Raj swears at 3:04 when he's over-reacting) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW11mnnNjaM

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days

  • last day of school scene-Greg has to share a textbook with another student

  • First morning of Summer break scene-Greg’s dad has uncomfortable thoughts about Greg expected behavior

  • Car trip to the shore scene

  • Scene at the lake house where they play “I love you because”

Whole body listening Video Models

• Incredibles- Scene 5, Scene 7

Working Together Video Models

• Frankenweenie - 10:20, 38:20, 41:40

• The Lorax - 9:50

• The Princess Bride-scenes where they are formulating their plan to storm the castle after Westley has been brought back to life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yokQ0_8__ts

• The Incredibles-scene 1, scene 6, 18-24 (the scenes were the family works together to destroy the robot), 28 (not working together), 29http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIPutWIVVuc

• Big Bang Theory-Season 2, Episode 18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnFZZNq9Hc8

Halloween Videos

• Big Bang Theory - Howard dresses as Sheldon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0K6qyvrlW4

• Big Bang Theory - Sheldon and Amy dress and Howard and Bernadette (good to use after the above clip): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfH8hBUiKK4

• Pretty Little Liars: Choosing costumes, perspective taking, teenage girl drama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zCZ4N62eCo

The videos used on this page are meant for educational purposes only.