Autism Spectrum Disorders: Building Social Skills in Group, School, and Community Settings

Figures & data

TABLE 1 Sample Semester Schedule for Social Skills Group Intervention

• Session 1:	Get to Know Other Group Members
• Session 2:	Anxiety and Depression in Teens: How to Identify the Symptoms
• Session 3:	Anxiety and Depression in Teens: Using Relaxation, Visualization, and Deep Breathing to Cope
• Session 4:	Anxiety and Depression in Teens: Developing Individualized Coping Strategies and Putting Them Into Practice
• Session 5:	Friendships and Dating in High School: Learning the Basics
• Session 6:	Friendships and Dating in High School: Applying What You Know
• Session 7:	How to Apply and Interview for Part-Time Jobs
• Session 8:	End of Semester Party

TABLE 2 Daily Schedule for Social Skills Group on the Topic of Dating

1.	Socialize with other group members
2.	Review homework assignment (Write down what you think would be most rewarding and most challenging about dating.)
3.	Complete worksheet: “Thinking About Dating”
4.	Complete worksheet: “Advantages and Disadvantages of Dating”
5.	Break: Eat snack and socialize with other group members
6.	Complete worksheet: “How to Let Someone Know You're Interested in Them”
7.	Role-play how to show interest in members of the opposite sex
8.	Discuss how to ask someone on a date and write a social story about the topic
9.	Role-play how to ask someone on a date
10.	Parent Time

FIGURE 1 Emotion thermometer worksheet for feeling depressed.