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 skill 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 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.

FOREWORD - Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D. INTRODUCTION Why are Social Skills So Important? CHAPTER 1: ENGAGEMENT as the FOUNDATION Self-Regulation: Calm + Alert = READY Shared Space: A Place to Be Together Shared Focus: A Reason to Be Together Shared Pleasure: Enjoying the Moment Together Sub-Skills of ENGAGEMENT Critical Strategies to Enhance ENGAGEMENT Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to Support ENGAGEMENT Case Study: Meet Jorge Introducing the Steps to Being Social CHAPTER 2: LOWER FOUR Proximity Parallel Joint Attention Reciprocal Exchange Sub-Skills of LOWER 4 Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to Support LOWER 4 Sample Activities to Enhance LOWER 4 Skill Sets Case Study: Meet Chase CHAPTER 3: MIDDLE FOUR Reciprocal Exchange Give and Take of Conversation Perspective Taking Reading the Social Scene Sub-Skills of MIDDLE 4 Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to Support MIDDLE 4 Sample Activities to Enhance MIDDLE 4 Skill Sets Case Study: Meet Mason CHAPTER 4: UPPER 4 Reading the Social Scene Group Cooperation Friendship Growing Connections Sub-Skills of UPPER 4 Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to Support UPPER 4 Sample Activities to Enhance UPPER 4 Skill Sets Case Study: Meet Andy CHAPTER 5: ASSESSMENT The Steps Assessment Introduction ENGAGEMENT LOWER 4 MIDDLE 4 UPPER 4 The STEPS Assessment Summary Interpreting the Scores Evidence-Based Practices Linking to the Skill Sets of the Social Steps CHAPTER 6: Putting it all Together Using the STEPS Assessment to Make a Social Plan Social Plan FOUNDATION: Scenario and Social Plan Example LOWER 4: Scenario and Social Plan Example MIDDLE 4: Scenario and Social Plan Example UPPER 4: Scenario and Social Plan Example Other Uses of Social Engagement & the Steps to Being Social Summary APPENDICES Social Engagement & the Steps to Being Social The Four Skill Sets FOUNDATION LOWER 4: Steps to Being Social MIDDLE 4: Steps to Being Social UPPER 4: Steps to Being Social Social Plan Thank You REFERENCES