Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communications Problems

The skills are broken down into small steps and are very specific, which is helpful with my literal-minded child. As a socially adept adult, I sometimes have trouble finding ways to explain social conventions, like the ýTwo-Question Rule,ý as Baker calls it: ýWhen others as you a question and you answer it, you can ask a similar question right back.ý Iým sure I do this every day (ýHow are you?ý ýFine, how are you?ý), and yet it would have taken me ages to find a way to sum this up for my child.

The skills are broken down into six categories: Conversational Skills, Cooperative Play Skills, Friendship Management, Self-Regulation, Empathy, and Conflict Management. The skills range from ýMaintaining Appropriate Physical Distance from Othersý to ýGiving Criticism in a Positive Wayý. Each skill is covered on two pages. One page lists guidelines for following the rule, and includes a small fill-in-the-blank space where children can plan when they will try out the skill and later report how it worked. The facing page lists suggested activities for teaching and reinforcing the skill.

I was also pleased to find that Bakerýs The Social Skills Picture Book covers many of the skills in Social Skills Training, so I have been using the picture book as a companion to this book. Actually seeing photos of children using the skills (or making mistakes) helps to fix the rules in his mind.


Most practical book out there.   March 27, 2005
Beth Sklar (New Jersey)
54 out of 56 found this review helpful

After researching most of the books on the market for Aspergers children and teens, this is surely the most practical source on social skills training. It's not a theoretical treatise, but a user-friendly way to quickly teach relevant skills to students with AS. I recommend to parents and teachers alike.


Great for Social Skills Training   March 10, 2007
L. Bress (Windsor CT)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

This book is an excellent resource for those who want to assist children and young adults with social skills training. There are clear cut lessons and activities that cover a variety of topics from how to greet others to asking someone on a date. Very valuable for those who need concrete examples of the correct way to approach many different social situations. Could be used for children on the autism spectrum, but also for any child who could benefit from practice in social interaction, even those who are shy. Anyone who lives and works with students who have social skills defecits would find this book useful.


A must for all kids with social skill issues   January 9, 2007
JDS (Boston)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Jed Baker has done it again. This is a nice follow-up to his social picture book. This is done nicely because you can pick and choose which areas you need to work on. Most children could use help with social skills to reduce anxiety, regardless of whether they have issues. My son does not have aspergers and his social skills issues are minimum but with practice the skills he has have been greatly refined.The program can be used in parts at home by parents with minimal training or in a school environment with speech therapists etc.


Easy reading, understanding, and easy to use lessons   February 22, 2007
Michelle Jensen (American Fork UT)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This book is not only good to help those in the autism spectrum with lacking social skills, but they can also be applied easily to teaching any children without autism. It is straightforward easy to use, to the point. Definitely worth the money, and was recommended to me by several mothers with more than 2 children with autism. Thanks!