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Ellen McGinnis, Richard L Simpson
This new guide employs Skillstreaming’s evidence-based four-part training approach—modelling, role-playing, performance feedback, and generalisation—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 emphasises the role of individualised 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 Comprehension
- Sample 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. Reproducible forms and handouts for this title are available from a downloads page.
