Preparing for Life

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.

• Chapter One: Asperger’s Syndrome, autism disorders, and the need for lifeskills trainingChapter Two: The transition process and the lawChapter Three: Self-awareness and moving beyond denialChapter 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 needsChapter Six: Skill instruction strategies: Individual, small group, self-instructionChapter Seven: Generalization of skillsChapter Eight: Training peers to be more accepting of students on thespectrumChapter Nine: Skill LessonsNonverbal cues/body language1. Expressing and reading welcoming versus unwelcoming socialcues.2. Interest versus boredom social cues3. Sarcasm versus genuine expressions4. Attending to others5. Respecting personal space and belongings6. Personal hygiene7. Dealing with odd motor mannerismsDealing with anger/frustration8. Overview of dealing with anger9. Identifying triggers to your anger10. Altering or avoiding the triggers to your anger11. Better ways to think about and deal with the triggers to youranger.12. Calming yourself when angry13. Talking versus acting out your feelings14. Putting it all together: Using the Daily Anger RecordDealing with anxiety15. Dealing with anxiety and fear16. Dealing with unpleasant, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors17. Dealing with social fears18. Dealing with new feared situationsConversation19. Saying hello’s and goodbye’s20. Introductions21. Politely interrupting22. Maintaining and joining a conversation23. Starting conversations with people you know24. Getting to know someone new25. POSTER: Summary of Starting and Maintaining Conversations26. Conversation repair strategies27. Politely changing topics28. Being sensitive to the listener’s interests29. Politely ending conversations30. Answering the telephone and taking messages31. Calling friends on the telephoneBuilding and maintaining friendships (and dealing with roommates)32.Where to find friends33.Don’t try too hard too soon34.Sharing friends35.Avoiding touchy subjects and insults36. Complimenting37. Respecting others’ views38. Don’t impose rules on others (minding your own business)39. Avoid bragging40. Dealing with peer pressure and avoiding setups41. Empathic listening42. Showing caring for others’ feelings through supportivestatements.43. Deepening relationships—sharing personal information44. Conflict resolution/Assertiveness45. Dealing with teasing46. Showing good sportsmanship47. Getting attention in positive waysDating48. Where to find a date and how and when to ask someone on aDate49. Asking someone out on a date50. Reading the signals—when to pursue a romantic relationship51. Sexual harassment52. Do’s and Don’ts on a date53. Communicating clearly to meet each other’s needsDealing with school and family demands54. Asking for reasonable modifications55. Dealing with frustrating work56. Accepting no or waiting for what you want57. Asking nicely for what you want58. Working cooperatively in groups59. Dealing with mistakes and correction60. How to respectfully disagree with teachers, parents, or supervisors61. Dealing with stressful living situationsEmployment Skills62. Choosing job/career directions63. Conducting a job search64. Writing a resume and cover letters65. Scripts for networking with friends, relatives, and potential employers66. Interview skills (and whether to disclose a disability)67. Handling rejection68. Do’s and Don’ts to maintain a job69. Responding to criticisms, accusations, or complaints on the job70. Exiting a jobMoney Matters71. Managing moneyPreparing for emergencies72. Dealing with emergencies and emergency workers (such as police or hospital workers)Transportation73. Negotiating transportation