Social Skills Guide for Parents Included in Autism Speaks Summer Reading List

Frederick, MD, May 18, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Book to help parents teach social skills  was included in the Autism Speaks summer reading list.  The book's authors,  Jamie Carter, Ph.D. and Ahna  O’Shaughnessy, M.A. have developed a  four step program  to help parents  teach their children  diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  how to improve social skills and emotion management.  Their book, PREP for Social Success:  A Guide for Parents of Children with Autism, is available exclusively through Amazon Kindle.

When asked about their inclusion in the list, Carter replied "We were pleased to be included on the list.  We hope that parents will find  our book helpful in reducing their own stress as well as their child's anxiety and discomfort in social situations".  

PREP for Social Success outlines four easy steps  (PLAN, REHEARSE, ENCOURAGE, PRAISE) that parents can use to teach their children  with ASD how to more effectively handle and adapt to a variety of social settings.  These settings include school, group activities, community settings, work settings, and novel situations.   Parents  learn a variety of techniques to use when  applying  PREP.  These include using visual cues, telling stories, developing scripts, performing role plays, playing games, and mapping out desired behaviors.

About the Authors:  The authors have a combined fifty years of experience in treating children and adults.  Jamie Carter is a Clinical Psychologist who has provided consultation to a variety of community and government agencies.  She has performed evaluations and provided psychotherapy as well as developing behavior support plans.    Ahna O’Shaughnessy  is a Psychology Associate, providing behavior intervention services to various agencies and schools that  serve adults and children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in the Greater D.C. and Baltimore areas.  The book can be found at mybook.to/prepforsuccess 

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