Skillstreaming Children and Youth with High-Functioning Autism : A Guide for Teaching Prosocial Skills

This new guide employs Skillstreaming's evidence-based four-part training approach-modeling, role-playing, performance feedback, and generalization-to teach prosocial skills in a small-group context. The book includes a total of 80 skills specifically tailored to the needs of learners with high-functioning autism and related disorders. The introduction offers a framework for understanding high-functioning autism disorders, defines unique characteristics of this population, and emphasizes the role of individualized coaching and the assistance of supportive peers in helping these learners meet their unique challenges. The remainder of the book presents skills and related materials. Skill Groups Group I: Relationship Skills (Beginning and Advanced) Sample skills: Listening Without Interrupting Staying on Topic Sharing Ending a Conversation Communicating Preferences Group II: Social ComprehensionSample skills: Reading Others Giving Information Nonverbally Respecting Another's Boundaries Taking Another's Perspective Group III: Self-Regulation Sample skills: Regulating Your Attention Dealing with Anxiety No Means No Dealing with Boredom Affirming Yourself Group IV: Problem Solving Sample skills: Determining Private Information Planning for Stressful Situations Considering Alternatives When a Rule Doesn't Work Making a Complaint Group V: Understanding Emotions Sample skills: Knowing Your Feelings Feeling Different Showing Affection Recognizing Another's Feelings Understanding Another's Intentions Group VI: School-Related Skills Sample skills: Ignoring Distractions Taking a Break Following Adult Directions Organizing Materials Dealing with Transitions Each skill includes an outline for group leaders with helpful advice for teaching specific skill steps and a listing of appropriate role-play situations. Two reproducible homework reports are provided for each skill. Appendixes provide skill checklists and other evaluation forms, as well as dialogue from two sample Skillstreaming sessions. A CD with printable forms accompanies the book.