How To Talk With Friends: A Step-by-Step Social Skills Curriculum for Children With Autism

Upon planning to skim the book and just get an "idea" of how I would want to use it I could not put it down. This is unusual for me. Most times I unfortunately find I have to "edit" the arrangement of subjects/ sections in similar books. (Including workbooks; my child is homeschooled). I was surprised that I can use it as intended, even for one child at this time. It is made for small groups (which is ideal I know) but there are suggestions for ways to adjust the activities for less children, or even if you're pinched for time etc. Very well structured!The print out pages are a bit wordy IMO. I personally don't need so much instruction and the charts have a helpful prompt key but I am using them as a jumping-off point to do my own in Excel since I am picky. I feel I could waste less paper, Ink, and be more cutesy all at once! I LOVE what I've found on the website (directed to by the message in book for free downloadable). I am definitely getting more from this company. They have ELA critical thinking and more that also looks intriguing and well-structured.Our child is 9 and has mod-severe ASD and ADHD. We have not tried many board games since they had not interested her much but this book inspired me to try again! We have Dragon's Breath by HABA (I love this brand as they use more safe materials than most brands do...) it might be for younger kids but our child still engages in play more appropriate for 6-7 year olds... and we also are using some virtual games and D &D style creative games. Just for ideas. I also am inspired to try more cooperative style games which after many years of therapy I am surprised no one has mentioned the value of these. But this book did and I feel excited, it's inspired me enough to bring energy to the table for my kid's sake and she's actually enjoying many of our sessions and trying to be more vocal!I do need to come up with many of my own "answer"/options to add to my child's speaking device since she barely speaks. I wish I could get her direct input. The open possibilities of these exercises help me to plan and give me a place to start. I was too overwhelmed before. Not even teachers or SLP etc were able to give me much guidance for general social topics to help her use. I have purchased conversation cards specifically for ASD from another company and they are too specific yet vague at the same time. (Ie; "what do you like best about your family?" "what is the hardest thing you've had to do?") In this book it helped me reset my mind to being simple and useful in ways for her to engage with others. Though as we progress the more advanced topics would be fun as well. (I have mild ASD and this book made things more clear for me as well!)

Great book! I use it to teach basic group interaction and conversation skills. Helps break down those steps in a relatable way. The children I have used it with are not diagnosed as on the spectrum - but struggle socially.

I believe this is what my grandson really needs. We will see soon how it works.

I really like the many small steps approach about this book. We are using it in our home schooling.

Great book!

It was my fault for not paying more attention. I thought this would help my autistic daughter with socializing with other teens. This was just info that you Google and get better results. It was fast shipping and well packaged though.

This is an invaluable resource for teaching children with autism what a conversation is or any child that is struggling to make friends. It gives detailed information for facilitating the groups and also parent handouts and evaluation sheet. I feel that parents and teachers who read this book will be better able to assist children with social skills, even if they do not lead a formal group setting. I did not get this for free or at any discounted price. I wanted to make that clear. I have worked with autistic children in a group setting and this would have been an invaluable book at the time I worked there. In group settings, so much time is devoted to correcting behavior problems, that the children have learned largely do to rejection from peers because of little or no social skills, that it is hard to get to proper ways to socialize. I was seeking this book, at this time, actually as a parent. My daughter has not been diagnosed with autism, but I feel that she would easily gather a autistic spectrum diagnosis if evaluated. I know the criteria of it well. I was trying to do my own early intervention to see if I could help prevent her being in special classes in school. (She is almost five.) I have seen amazing progress through using ideas in the book. Most of the time, by the time they enter an alternative school (where I gained experience), it is so difficult to work through the behavior problems in order to actually facilitate an orderly group. Still, this book could be adapted by a skilled therapist even with autistic children with behavior problems. I feel that if a curriculum like this one was used in schools, because teachers are not trained to work with autism, it would give teachers ideas on how to lead classes that could help prevent many behavior problems that result from not being able to communicate well with others. As a parent, I do not have a group to work with, I did the group by using her father and her as the two having the conversation. I think it has helped the entire family dynamic and increased overall communication. I think this, as I said, is a good tool for intervention, in schools and at home. It also gives step by step information on facilitating the groups if your are a therapist new to working with autistic students, or even maybe not so new. Even if teachers and parents were not skilled at leading groups, it gives invaluable information on what makes up a conversation, which most people never think about. Really, I think most any child with difficulties with conversation and troubles with social skills would benefit from having a parent read this book. The parents than can model appropriate conversations and encourage appropriate conversation topics, questions and staying on topic, just in day to day talk by talking with their children about what conversation is made of. I think schools should have a social skills class for all students using a book like this one whether or not they have autism. Conversation does not come naturally to everyone, nor does learning how to relate to others. Even if your child is simply having trouble making friends, I feel you would benefit from this book. Every school that works with children with autism and a therapeutic practices that work with children with autism should have this in their library. I wish it had been available for me, when I was working in a professional setting. I am looking forward to looking at the 'Social Detectives' book and the 'Say It or Not' book as well.

Wow! This is truly an excellent resource! The format is fantastic; very easy to read, great layout with shading and highlighted parts that make it easy to follow and read. This is a very comprehensive guide and very practical. Written in layman's terms so that anyone, from the most experienced professional to the "newbie" can easily follow along and implement this program. I am truly impressed with this book and I highly recommend it. I would like to see it used in schools and rehab centres everywhere.

Ótimo guia. Chegou em perfeitas condições.

As described. Good easy to understand resource for children. Can't wait to start this after Christmas.