Navigating the Social World: A Curriculum for Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and Related Disorders

by Jeanette McAfee, Tony Attwood (Foreword by)

Overview

Pediatrician Jeanie McAfee originally created this user-friendly social curriculum for her daughter Rachel, who was diagnosed with Asperger's at age ten. Since then, it has become a staple for parents and educators. It addresses the most urgent problems facing those with Asperger's Syndrome, high-functioning autism, and related disorders. Dr. McAfee covers how to:

Increase communication skills

Recognize and cope with emotions

Recognize and prevent stress

Develop abstract thinking skills

Address behavioral problems

And more!

Tasks are broken down into small steps, repeated until they are mastered, then generalized. Helpful handouts, templates, and forms will help keep teachers and learners on track.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935274964
Publisher:	Future Horizons, Inc.
Publication date:	12/01/2013
Pages:	354
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr. Jeanie McAfee was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, and received her B.S. and medical degrees from the University of California at Davis. After completing an internship in pediatrics at Children's Hospital, Oakland, she spent several years providing general pediatric care to underserved children, and three years working with children of U.S. servicemen in Germany. While attending medical school, she met and married the man of her dreams, Keith, and they now have four wonderful daughters. When Jeanie's daughter Rachel was diagnosed with high-functioning autism (HFA) at the age of ten, Jeanie believed she would finally be able to find an appropriate treatment program for her. However, after doing extensive research on autism and Asperger's Syndrome, she soon discovered that it was difficult to find an existing program that would address Rachel's special needs while maximizing her unique combination of strengths. This is what motivated Jeanie to write Navigating the Social World. Combining her medical background as a pediatrician with her understanding of her daughter's specific needs, Jeanie developed one of the most effective social curricula ever created. She strongly believes that the more parents and educators work together to share ideas and experiences, the better we will be able to help our students, clients, and loved ones with Asperger's Syndrome, high-functioning autism and related disorders to live happier and more productive lives.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Dr. Tony Attwood
How to Use This Book
A Brief Overview of Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism

Section One: Recognizing and Coping with One’s Own Emotions
Introduction
Program 1: Recognizing a Simple Emotion
Redirecting Negative Thoughts to Positive Thoughts
Program 2: Recognizing and Labeling More Emotions
Linking Nonverbal Clues to Emotions
Program 3: Expressing Emotions
Quantifying Emotions on a Continuum
Program 4: Stress I-Data Collection. Recognizing Stress Signals and
Causes and Effects of Stress
Program 5: Stress II-Self-Monitoring Stress Levels
Relaxation Therapies
Program 6: Stress III-Stress Prevention

Section Two: Communication and Social Skills
Introduction
Program 7: Basic Conversational Responses
Program 8: Recognizing and interpreting Nonverbal and Contextual Clues
in Other People.
Program 9: Greetings and Goodbyes
Program 10: Initiating Conversations
Program 11: Using Nonverbal Conversational Skills
Making SENSE in conversations
Program 12: Recognizing and Using Tone of Voice Skills
Program 13: Conversational Manners
Program 14: Making Introductions
Program 15: Public vs. Private
Program 16: Offering and Asking for Help
Program 17: Giving and Receiving Compliments
Program 18: Resolving Conflicts. Sharing Negative Feelings and
Opinions

Section Three: Abstract Thinking Skills
Introduction
Program 19: Figurative Speech

Section Four: Behavioral Issues
Introduction
Behavioral Terms Used in this Book
A Brief Look at Reinforcement
Hidden Causes of Problem Behaviors
Program 20: Compliance

Appendices
Additional Resource Material
Handouts
Templates
Program Tracking Forms
Glossary
Index
 

Editorial Reviews

A superb resource for parents and professionals. . . . it provides clear and thorough cognitive behavioral programs for working with children to develop life skills. . . .”—Marjorie Solomon-Friedman, Ph.D., Post Graduate Researcher/M.I.N.D. Scholar

 

“What a wonderful book! What makes it unique is that the mother and physician are one and the same person!! Dr. McAfee turned her love and concern for her own child into this masterfully practical and accessible book that will provide valuable assistance to children, parents, teachers, and professionals around the world.” —Edward Hallowell, M.D., Senior Lecturer, Harvard Medical School, and author of Connect and Driven to Distraction

 

“After reading this book you can immediately start a program at home or school.”—Dr. Tony Attwood
 

From the Publisher