Table of Contents

• Part One—Before You Begin
• The Autism Spectrum and the Importance of Visual Aids
• About Social Skills Picture Books
• Generalization of Skills
• Part Two—Social Skills Picture Books
• Non-Verbal Cues/Body Language
• Welcome Versus Unwelcome
• Knowing When to Stop Talking
• Listening Position
• Don’t be a Space Invader
• Conversation
• Greetings
• Interrupting in Conversation
• Interrupting in Class
• Interrupting at Work
• Starting a Conversation with Someone You Know
• Getting to Know Someone New
• Knowing When to Stop Being Funny
• Ending a Conversation
• Building and Maintaining Friendships
• Sharing Friends
• Avoiding Sensitive Topics and Insults
• Showing Empathy and Understanding
• Don’t Be the Rule Police
• Asserting Your Feelings
• Giving Criticism
• Conflict Resolution
• Teasing
• Asking Someone Out on a Date
• Dealing with School and Work
• Dealing with the Fear of Trying Something New
• Trying when it’s Hard
• Accepting No or Waiting For What You Want
• Dealing with Mistakes
• Working with Others—Compromising
• Job Interviewing

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.