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

Typically, ASD high school graduates are unprepared for the transition to independence. Early, ongoing training in the social skills crucial to establishing successful adult relationships - in college, vocational school, residential living, or on the job - can help. He also guides readers through the legal, financial, educational, vocational, and community resources available after graduation. The essence of the book lies in the 73 'Skill Lessons' targeting nonverbal communication, empathy, anger/anxiety management, conversational skills, and employment-related skills - which can be taught by parents, teachers, or professionals. This easy-to-follow resource offers a complete toolbox of social skills and the means to attain them.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One: Asperger’s Syndrome, autism disorders, and the need for life skills training Chapter Two: The transition process and the law Chapter Three: Self-awareness and moving beyond denial Chapter Four: College, Career and Residential Options Beyond High School: What parents can do to prepare their son or daughter (by Rick Blumberg, Ph.D.) Chapter Five: Assessment of social skill needs Chapter Six: Skill instruction strategies: Individual, small group, self-instruction Chapter Seven: Generalization of skills Chapter Eight: Training peers to be more accepting of students on the spectrum Chapter Nine: Skill Lessons Nonverbal cues/body language 1. Expressing and reading welcoming versus unwelcoming social cues. 2. Interest versus boredom social cues 3. Sarcasm versus genuine expressions 4. Attending to others 5. Respecting personal space and belongings 6. Personal hygiene 7. Dealing with odd motor mannerisms Dealing with anger/frustration 8. Overview of dealing with anger 9. Identifying triggers to your anger 10. Altering or avoiding the triggers to your anger 11. Better ways to think about and deal with the triggers to your anger. 12. Calming yourself when angry 13. Talking versus acting out your feelings 14. Putting it all together: Using the Daily Anger Record Dealing with anxiety 15. Dealing with anxiety and fear 16. Dealing with unpleasant, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors 17. Dealing with social fears 18. Dealing with new feared situations Conversation 19. Saying hello’s and goodbye’s 20. Introductions 21. Politely interrupting 22. Maintaining and joining a conversation 23. Starting conversations with people you know 24. Getting to know someone new 25. POSTER: Summary of Starting and Maintaining Conversations 26. Conversation repair strategies 27. Politely changing topics 28. Being sensitive to the listener’s interests 29. Politely ending conversations 30. Answering the telephone and taking messages 31. Calling friends on the telephone Building and maintaining friendships (and dealing with roommates) 32.Where to find friends 33.Don’t try too hard too soon 34.Sharing friends 35.Avoiding touchy subjects and insults 36. Complimenting 37. Respecting others’ views 38. Don’t impose rules on others (minding your own business) 39. Avoid bragging 40. Dealing with peer pressure and avoiding setups 41. Empathic listening 42. Showing caring for others’ feelings through supportive statements. 43. Deepening relationships—sharing personal information 44. Conflict resolution/Assertiveness 45. Dealing with teasing 46. Showing good sportsmanship 47. Getting attention in positive ways Dating 48. Where to find a date and how and when to ask someone on a Date 49. Asking someone out on a date 50. Reading the signals—when to pursue a romantic relationship 51. Sexual harassment 52. Do’s and Don’ts on a date 53. Communicating clearly to meet each other’s needs Dealing with school and family demands 54. Asking for reasonable modifications 55. Dealing with frustrating work 56. Accepting no or waiting for what you want 57. Asking nicely for what you want 58. Working cooperatively in groups 59. Dealing with mistakes and correction 60. How to respectfully disagree with teachers, parents, or supervisors 61. Dealing with stressful living situations Employment Skills 62. Choosing job/career directions 63. Conducting a job search 64. Writing a resume and cover letters 65. Scripts for networking with friends, relatives, and potential employers 66. Interview skills (and whether to disclose a disability) 67. Handling rejection 68. Do’s and Don’ts to maintain a job 69. Responding to criticisms, accusations, or complaints on the job 70. Exiting a job Money Matters 71. Managing money Preparing for emergencies 72. Dealing with emergencies and emergency workers (such as police or hospital workers) Transportation 73. Negotiating transportation

About the Author :
Having earned his MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Albany, Dr. Jed Baker is a behavioral consultant for several New Jersey school districts where, nearly two decades ago, he organized a group to help children with social communication problems. That group expanded and ultimately became the Social Skills Training Project under Dr. Baker's directorship. Dr. Baker also presents lectures all over the world on social skills training, and is on the board of directors of the Asperger's Syndrome Education Network, Inc. (ASPEN). His work has been featured on ABC News and Nightline.