Social Engagement & the Steps to Being Social: A Practical Guide for Teaching Social Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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.

Kathleen “Mo” Taylor, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with a 30-year history of working with children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Mo works at the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Programs. She teaches and consults around evidence-based practices for individuals with ASD. In addition, Mo has a private practice, Theraplay, where she provides therapy and consultation for people with ASD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Behavioral Differences across the life span. Mo facilitates sensory/social groups and also consults within the community to help provide appropriate evidence-based supports and accommodations for individuals with ASD in classroom, community and home settings. She has shared her experiences through trainings around New Mexico, nationally and internationally. Her career has been devoted to better “real life” outcomes for all individuals.

Marci Laurel, MA, CCC-SLP 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 35 years providing direct services, consultation, training, and student supervision in public school, private practice, and university settings. She has lectured nationally and internationally on topics related to sensory processing and communication, family issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Marci is co-author of several related publications, most recently Our Hearts’ Desire: For Families Navigating the Journey of Sensory Processing Challenges.