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 much 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.
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Binding: Concealed Wiro Coil
Pages: 387
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.
“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
“A source for understanding the cognitive origins of inappropriate behaviors seen in this population. Dr. McAfee has done an outstanding job creating a practical guide to emotional and social dilemmas. . . . An excellent curriculum for applying strategic strategies to help (them) cope with a variety of social challenges.”
Linda Lotspiech, M.D., M.Ed., Director
Neuropsychiatry/PDD Clinic, Stanford University
" . . . Incredibly thorough and well-organized resource that brings together a wealth of information for families and educators . . . straight-forward, consistent interventions on a wide range of behaviors and skills.”
Robin L. Hansen, M.D., Chief,
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
M.I.N.D. Institute/University of California, Davis
“As a behaviorist, rarely can I find a program written for real people that provides applicability in a common sense way. Ideal for professionals, paraprofessionals and caregivers, this book offers a guide to assisting individuals in realizing their potential as social persons within a social world.”
Rodger Stein, Behaviorist
“From an SLP standpoint, I thought [the] information was excellent. . . . A fabulous addition for professionals and parents. . . . This book provides step-by-step, understandable program in a format that can be easily adapted to any type of educational or therapeutic program. It will be a best-seller!!”
Jane Germ, Speech and Language Pathologist
"An in-depth account of techniques adapted, developed, and fine-tuned by Dr. McAfee to provide her daughter with the skills to comprehend the elusive social world. Many students, teachers and parents have approached me in search of practical advice on how to deal with the manifestations of this stunning syndrome. I had found myself almost empty-handed when asked for specific training strategies, long-term goals and an overall plan of action. Now, this book will help bridge that gap between theory and practice."
Adriana L. Schuler, Professor of Special Education
San Francisco State University
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
