Social Engagement & the Steps to Being Social: A Practical Guide for Teaching Social Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Author(s): Marci Laurel MA CCC , Kathleen Taylor OTR/L
Social Engagement & the Steps to Being Social is a unique, visual, and easy -to -use model that was developed to guide assessment and intervention across severity levels and age groups for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This user- friendly book defines social engagement in observable language and breaks down social skills into a series of clearly defined steps. Each step is further broken down into pivotal skills that can be taught directly, and matched with evidence- based practices to support teaching and learning. Case studies help illuminate concepts discussed at each step and sample activities are provided to support immediate real-world application. Readers will have access to a practical model that supports the teaching of social skills, including:
- A structured framework for social development that shows how one skill builds on another.
- Sub-skills to provide specific direction for skills to teach.
- An assessment to determine where treatment should begin and for monitoring progress.
- Links to specific evidence- based practices connected to the skills sets of the model.
- A Social Plan that can be used as a tool for bridging assessment to specific treatment goals.
- Case studies of individuals of varying ages and abilities.
- Sample activities for promoting social development.
Co-authors Kathleen “Mo” Taylor and Marci Laurel have been working and teaching together for the past 25 twenty-five years.
Together they have developed this model based on their work with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families who have guided the process every step of the way. Mo and Marci have had the opportunity to present Social Engagement & the Steps to Being Social in New Mexico, nationally and internationally and have been excited and humbled by the many family members and professionals who have found the work of use in home, school, university and clinical settings.
Kathy “Mo” Taylor, OTR/L is a Clinical Specialist at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center for Development and Disability’s Autism Program and other developmental disabilities programs. She’s worked with The Autism Programs for over 18 years. Mo provides training and technical assistance in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), as well as being the Practicum Director for Camp Rising Sun, a residential summer camp for children with ASD. She is the owner and primary therapist for her private practice, Theraplay, where she provides direct therapy (individual and group) and consultative services in the school, home, community, work place, and aquatic environment, supporting those with ASD as well as those with social and sensory differences.
Marci Laurel, MA, CCC is a Speech-Language Pathologist with the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Programs. Marci has practiced in Albuquerque for the past 30 years providing direct services, consultation, training, and student supervision in public schools, private practice, and university settings. She has had many opportunities to give presentations in New Mexico and around the country on topics related to sensory processing and communication, family issues and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Marci is co-author of several related publications.