60 Social Situations and Discussion Starters to Help Teens on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Friendships, Feelings, Conflict and More

Book excerpt: Teenagers and older children on the autistic spectrum are, like the rest of us, surrounded by complex social codes and rules that govern everyday interaction. Interpreting these and reading social cues such as sarcasm, idioms and body language often presents a real challenge, but this book of realistic and thought-provoking stories can help. Designed with both parent and child in mind, every story outlines a real-life situation that young people on the spectrum are likely to encounter. Each of these is followed with questions such as 'what else might he have done?', 'how do you think she felt?' and 'why do you think they were upset?', along with practical tips for parents on how to facilitate constructive discussions. As children consider these questions with adults, they begin to put themselves into someone else's shoes and are encouraged to think about how their actions and behaviour may affect those around them, gaining invaluable skills and understanding that will be transferable to everyday life situations. Packed with 60 stories exploring real-life situations, this book will be an essential tool for parents, caregivers, teachers, and anyone else wishing to enable young people on the autistic spectrum to improve their social skills.