Janet Z. Giler - Socially ADDept: Teaching Social Skills to Children with ADHD, LD, and Aspergers

More Praise for Socially ADDept , Revised Edition

Socially ADDept is a welcome and needed resource for parents of children with ADHD and/or Learning Disabilities. It is very painful to watch your child struggle in the social arena and not know how to help. This book provides parents with clear, practical guidance and step-by-step assistanceThe information in this wonderful, reader-friendly book(is) beneficial for parents trying to help their children develop and become more competent.

Sandra Rief, M.A., bestselling author of How to Reach & Teach Children with ADD/ADHD, 2nd Edition and The Dyslexia Checklist

Praise for the First Edition

Socially ADDept provides information to de-mystify the behaviors of children with attentional problems. But beyond this, Dr. Giler provides specific strategies to deal effectively with specific social situations. Eminently readable, this book belongs on your bookshelfbut will undoubtedly not spend much time there. It is a book that will be used and referred to often!

Richard Dr. Lavoie, bestselling author of It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend and The Motivation Breakthrough

Where do you turn when you find out your child has special learning requirements? It can be confusing, overwhelming and frustrating. Socially ADDept is the best learning tool a parent can use to help their child. It is clear, practical, easy-to-read and fun for kids and parents to use together. Dr. Giler has created the next best tool to having her in your home as a guide and expert. A must for every family with learning challenges!

Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D., author of If Life is a Game, These Are the Rules

I'd like to suggest an excellent book that can be used by parents who are interested in trying to help their child with his or her peer relationships. It is called Socially ADDept . I think you will find that this is really helpful in your efforts to assist your child in getting along better with peers. Professionals will find that this book can be quite helpful to them as well, especially in working with parents to help their child.

David Rabiner, Ph.D., Duke University and author of ADHD NEWS

Jossey-Bass Teacher

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Copyright 2011 by Janet Z. Giler. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Giler, Janet Z.

Socially addept : teaching social skills to children with ADHD, LD, and

Asperger's / by Janet Z. Giler.Rev. ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-470-59683-8 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-470-92592-8 (ebk.)

ISBN 978-0-470-92593-5 (ebk.)

ISBN 978-0-470-92594-2 (ebk.)

1. Learning disabled children. 2. Behavior disorders in children. 3. Social skills in children. I. Title.

LC4704.5G525 2010

371.9'04482dc22

2010032220

About This Book

Many children with Asperger's Syndrome, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and other special needs misunderstand or don't know the hidden rules of communication. Many teachers and parents don't know what to do when children struggle with teasing or feelings of rejection. Socially ADDept makes this process easier for adults and children. Working with the ADDept approach, parents and teachers can help children

• Comprehend and use appropriate body language
• Handle teasing
• Increase their self-awareness
• Increase their respect for others
• Understand the rules of friendship
• Handle anger appropriately

This book is not a general, entry-level book on learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or Asperger's Syndrome. Diagnostic information is contained in the Appendixes, and there are many excellent introductory books on these subjects included in the Bibliography and Resources section.

Author's Note

Most of the lessons in Part Two can be done equally well by parents and teachers. The few that are more appropriate for parents to do at home with the child are marked clearly.

Also, a number of these exercises should not be done in front of an entire class as it could be embarrassing to a child if he makes a mistake in front of his or her peers. This includes all of the role play exercises and those in which adults are to give the child negative feedback. Alongside each of these exercises is a Note reminding readers to conduct these exercises in private with the child or in a smaller group setting in which the child is comfortable (with friends, trusted peers, or siblings).