Having earned his MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Albany, Dr. Jed Baker is a behavioral consultant for several New Jersey school districts where, nearly two decades ago, he organized a group to help children with social communication problems. That group expanded and ultimately became the Social Skills Training Project under Dr. Baker's directorship. Dr. Baker also presents lectures all over the world on social skills training, and is on the board of directors of the Asperger's Syndrome Education Network, Inc. (ASPEN). His work has been featured on ABC News and Nightline.

Part One
The Nature of Autism
A brief look at Autism
The Importance of Using Visual Aids to Teach Children with Autism
Teaching Social Skills
Discrete Trial
Incidental Teaching
Cognitive Picture Rehearsal
What are Social Stories?
Structured Learning
About Social Skill Picture Stories
What are Social Skills Picture Stories?
Who Should Use Social Skills Picture Stories?
How to Use This Book
Initial Instruction
Should You Teach the "Wrong Way" to Enact a Skill?
Role-playing the Skills
Reviewing the Skill/Providing Corrective Feedback
Generalization of Skills
Making Your Own Social Skills Picture Stories
Things to Consider
Sample Steps for Other Skills
References

Part Two
Communication Related Skills
Don't be a Space Invader
Listening Position
Interrupting I (help opening a jar)
Interrupting II (help with a zipper)
Interrupting III (asking peers for a toy)
Greetings
Listening During a Conversation
Starting and Maintaining a Conversation (about the present)
Starting and Maintaining a Conversation (about the past)
Ending a conversation
Introducing yourself
Talking Briefly
Play-Related Skills
Asking to Play
Joining in Play
Sharing
Compromising
Turn Taking in Play
Playing a Game
Dealing with Losing
Emotion-Related Skills
Keeping Calm
Showing Understanding for Others' Feelings
Accepting No for an Answer
Dealing with Mistakes
Trying Something New (fear of a new situation)
Dealing with Teasing
Trying when it's Hard (dealing with hard or frustrating work)