Preparing for Life : The Complete Guide for Transitioning to Adulthood for Those with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome

by Baker, Jed

• ISBN13: 9781932565331
• ISBN10: 1932565337
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-30
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

A comprehensive resource for students on the autism spectrum preparing for life after high school, best-selling author/counselor Dr. Jed Baker offers "life skills training" on subjects such as non-verbal cues, body language, dealing with anger, frustration and anxiety, as well as building and maintaining friendships, roommates, and intimate relationships. He focuses on conversational and employment skills, ways to balance work/school with family demands, and problematic areas such as finances, emergencies and transportation matters. The assessment tools he provides for parents and the analysis of the laws that provide accommodations to adults with disabilities are critical for success in life after high school.

Table of Contents

Asperger's Syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and the need for life skills training	1	(6)
The transition process and the law	7	(2)
Self-awareness and moving beyond denial	9	(16)
College, Career and Residential Options Beyond High School: What parents can do to prepare their son or daughter (by Rick Blumberg)	25	(16)
Assessment of social skill needs	41	(8)
Skill instruction strategies: Individual, small group, self-instruction	49	(16)
Generalization of skills	65	(6)
Peer sensitivity lessons: Teaching others to be more accepting	71	(10)
Skill lessons	81	(237)
Nonverbal cues/body language
Welcome versus unwelcome	83	(3)
Interest versus boredom	86	(2)
Sarcasm versus genuine expressions	88	(2)
Listening position	90	(3)
Respect personal space and others' belongings	93	(2)
Personal hygiene	95	(3)
Dealing with odd motor mannerisms	98	(2)
Dealing with anger/frustration
Overview of dealing with anger	100	(3)
Identifying triggers to your anger	103	(2)
Altering the triggers to your anger	105	(3)
Better ways to think about and deal with the triggers to your anger	108	(4)
Calming when angry	112	(3)
Talking versus acting out feelings	115	(3)
Putting it all together: Using the daily anger record	118	(5)
Dealing with anxiety
Dealing with anxiety and fear: Understanding the alarm reaction	123	(3)
Dealing with unpleasant intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors	126	(5)
Dealing with social fears	131	(4)
Dealing with new feared situations	135	(10)
Conversation
Greetings	145	(2)
Introducing yourself and others	147	(2)
Interrupting	149	(2)
Maintaining and joining a conversation	151	(3)
Starting conversations with people you know	154	(4)
Getting to know someone new	158	(3)
Poster summary of starting and maintaining conversations	161	(1)
Conversation repair strategies	162	(3)
Shifting topics	165	(2)
Sensitivity to the listener's interest/Don't talk too long	167	(3)
Ending conversations	170	(2)
Answering the telephone	172	(1)
Calling a friend on the telephone	173	(2)
Building and maintaining friendships (and dealing with roommates)
Where to find friends	175	(3)
Don't try too hard too soon	178	(4)
Sharing friends	182	(2)
Avoiding sensitive topics and insults	184	(3)
Complimenting	187	(2)
Respecting others' opinions	189	(3)
Don't be the rule police	192	(2)
Modesty	194	(2)
Dealing with peer pressure	196	(3)
Dealing with rumors	199	(2)
Empathic listening	201	(3)
Showing caring for others' feelings	204	(3)
Deepening friendships; sharing personal information	207	(4)
Conflict resolution/Asserting yourself	211	(3)
Dealing with teasing	214	(4)
Giving constructive criticism	218	(2)
Accepting criticism	220	(2)
Dealing with losing	222	(2)
Getting attention in positive ways	224	(2)
Dating
Where to find a date	226	(2)
Asking someone out on a date	228	(2)
Reading the signals: when to pursue a romantic relationship	230	(3)
Sexual harassment	233	(2)
Do's and Don'ts on a date	235	(2)
Communicating clearly to meet each other's needs	237	(3)
Dealing with school and family demands
Asking for reasonable modifications	240	(4)
Dealing with frustrating work	244	(3)
Accepting no or waiting for what you want	247	(2)
Asking nicely for what you want, negotiating and accepting no	249	(2)
Working cooperatively in a group	251	(3)
Dealing with mistakes and correction	254	(2)
How to respectfully disagree with teachers, parents, or supervisors	256	(2)
Dealing with stressful living situations	258	(3)
Employment skills
Choosing job or career directions	261	(7)
Conducting a job search	268	(4)
Writing a resume and cover letters	272	(10)
Scripts for networking and job inquiries	282	(7)
Interview skills and disclosing about a disability	289	(13)
Handling rejection	302	(1)
Do's and Don'ts to maintain employment	303	(3)
Responding to criticism, accusations and complaints	306	(2)
Exiting a job	308	(3)
Money Matters
Managing money	311	(4)
Preparing for Emergencies
Dealing with emergencies and emergency workers (including police, firemen, and hospital workers)	315	(3)
Transportation
Negotiating public and private transportation	318