Table of Contents
Foreword Temple Grandin ix
Acknowledgements xv
Introduction xix
Section I Read Me First
Chapter 1 Why Me" Why You" Why Life Skills" 3
Chapter 2 Frames of Reference 9
Chapter 3 Success Comes from Life Skills 17
Chapter 4 The Wacky World of Autism Terminology 23
Section II Teaching Life Skills to the Spectrum Child: Ideas and Examples
Chapter 5 Learning How We Can Learn 29
Chapter 6 Say What You Need to Say 39
Chapter 7 Transmit Information in More than One Way 47
Chapter 8 Information in Translation: Speak the Language Your Child Understands 57
Chapter 9 Repetition and Persistence 67
Chapter 10 Opportunities to Teach, Opportunities for Success 77
Chapter 11 Tap into Your Child's Interests! 89
Chapter 12 Attitudes That Win (and One That Doesn't) 97
Section III Specific Life Skills
Chapter 13 Intro to the Specific Skills 109
Chapter 14 Chores and More 115
Chapter 15 Chores Part Deux - How to Tell Your Child What to Do 121
Chapter 16 Chores Part Tres - More on Teaching Chores 129
Chapter 17 Punctuality 139
Chapter 18 Appropriate Attire 153
Chapter 19 Manners, Manners, Manners 169
Chapter 20 Kindness Is a Life Skill 181
Chapter 21 Teach the Specifics of Kindness 187
Chapter 22 Outings Teach Life Skills 197
Chapter 23 Teach Special Skills Needed by People with Autism 205
Chapter 24 Life Skills for the Spectrum: Task Switching 213
Chapter 25 Learning to Spend Time 223
Chapter 26 Coping with Sensory Issues 229
Section IV Really. Really Big Skills That Everyone Needs
Chapter 27 Trie First Really Big Skill: Exercise for Mental and Physical Health 239
Chapter 28 The Second Really Big Skill: Good Sleep Habits 253
Chapter 29 The Third Really Big Skill: Dealing with Mistakes and Failures 267
Chapter 30 The Fourth and Final Really Big Skill: Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Concepts 285
Postscript 299
A Mini - Glossary 301
Recommended Resources 307
Index 313