Navigating the Social World: A Curriculum for Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and Related Disorders (Spiral-bound)

by Jeannie McAfee (Author), Dr. Tony Attwood (Author) "The world of emotions can be puzzling and often overwhelming to individuals with HFA..." (more)
Key Phrases: stress tracking charts, making topic transitions, good nonverbal signals, Step One, Step Three, Step Four (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Dr. McAfee has done an outstanding job creating a practical guide to emotional and social dilemmas. . . an excellent curriculum. -- Linda Lotspiech, M.D., Director of Neuropsychiatry/PDD Clinic, Stanford University

From an SLP standpoint, I thought the information was excellent. . . a fabulous addition for professionals and parents. -- Jane Germ, Speech and Language Pathologist

Ideal for professionals and caregivers, this book offers a guide to assisting individuals in realizing their potential as social persons. . . -- Rodger Stein, Behaviorist

Product Description
This important new book offers a definitive program with forms, exercises, and guides for the student. It also presents significant educational guidance and supportive assistance to caregivers and teachers.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 354 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885477821
• ISBN-13: 978-1885477828
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,317 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #10 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Special Education > Behavioral Disorders
  #10 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Special Education > Socially Handicapped
  #10 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Special Education > Mentally Disabled

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good if your child is able and not MR, November 23, 2002

By	John Harpur (Trim, Meath, IRELAND) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I do some work experimenting with pragmatics teaching for autistic adolescents. This book is definitely a 'good' book in this regard. Importantly it is written by a parent for other parents. I have no doubt but that it has something for everyone, but I am less sure whether it has as much for parents with genuinely autistic as opposed to high functioning autistic children. I would still recommend the book but with that caveat.

The book seesm to be largely derived from observations and techniques related to Tony Attwood's practice in Australia. Fans of Attwood should be pleased with that. It doesn't hurt its marketing either.

The author is a medical doctor and while that may lend some authority to the text, it is her position as a parent of a high functioning autistic child that drives the text along. Many lesson plans and exercises are described in detail. A lot of form filling is recommended for recording behaviour (and hopefuly progress). Some aspects of these procedures may not be applicable to all parental situations (awkward, time consuming, presuming too much of parents, etc.) but one has to look first at what can be done, rather than ruling out options in advance.

It seems like a useful programme. I suspect it is would be very practical in the hands of extremely well organised parents.

While being as fairminded as possible, it is important to point out that the book doesn't dwell much on evaluation studies. Hence what is recommended is often the result of rewarding personal persistence and experience, rather than scientific validation.

Don't get me wrong. This is not a snake oil book by any means (and there are so many about), but evaluation studies are important to some parents in helping to choose between approaches.

Of course I would recommend this book. It is focused on the (very) able autistic child in my opinion however. However, for group work that includes teenagers and parents especially in the vital area of pragmatics I would recommnend also Succeeding with Interventions for Asperger Syndrome Adolescents.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Navigating the Social World, April 23, 2002

By A Customer

This book is excellent! Written in simple terminology for parents, school staffs or caregivers of High Functioning Autistic children. Contains detailed "how to" information on emotional development, communication/social skills, abstract thinking skills, and behaviorial issues. Finally a plan I can follow as a parent to help my child meet some of his developmental milestones.

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More technical than parents might want, May 13, 2005

By	Parent (Calif., USA) - See all my reviews

I am a parent of a child with social skills difficulties akin to Aspergers. I ordered three books at the same time including this one. I found this the least approachable and chose to return it-- something I rarely do. You'd have to really sit down and dig into this book to get anything practical out of it for your child. The information is here, but it's not layed out well visually or in casual vocabulary.

Instead I was most impressed with and plan to start using Social Skills Training by Jed Baker. I also found useful Good Friends are Hard to Find by Frankel.