PREP for Social Success: A Guide for Parents of Children with Autism is described as “an excellent resource for you and your child” in an introduction to a guest post on the Special Needs Book Review website. It also notes that “PREP easily adapts to your child’s specific characteristics, age, and level of cognitive functioning”. The post includes excerpts from the book and it is noted that these demonstrate that as a child learns to manage social situations effectively, it makes these outings easier for siblings and the whole family.
Parents who have a child with ASD often experience stress because their children have difficulty in social settings. These settings range from participating in family gatherings, to fitting in at school, to playing sports, to getting and keeping a job. Children may feel anxious or overwhelmed in these everyday settings. If they have inadequate communication and coping skills this may lead to uncooperative behavior, unusual behavior, or emotional distress. By using the PREP program, both parents and children will experience less stress.
The PREP Program for Social Success involves four easy to remember steps which show parents how to:
PLAN ahead to help your child anticipate difficult situations
REHEARSE using a variety of techniques to show your child how to manage various social situations
ENCOURAGE your child to engage in positive social behaviors in situations he or she may encounter
PRAISE your child’s success
The authors of the book have a combined fifty years of experience in treating children and adults. Jamie Carter has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and has served as a consultant to various community and government agencies for people with a variety of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities. Ahna Kimmel has an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and is a Psychology Associate. She provides behavioral services to various agencies and schools serving adults and children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disordrs in the grater D.C. and Baltimore areas. She also teaches classes to staff and parents in the areas of behavior theory and application and social skills techniques.
The book is available exclusively on Amazon Kindle at http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00WQANRI4
