S.T.A.R.S.: Skills Training for Assertiveness, Relationship-Building, and Sexual Awareness

For those with developmental disabilities like autism and Asperger's Syndrome, relationship boundaries may be blurry―or even invisible. This book is an invaluable tool for helping students understand their relationship to others, and for teaching students how to interact with others appropriately. The “STARS” program helps caregivers and professionals provide students with this knowledge, plus the self-esteem to put it into practice.

Educate young adults and build their self-esteem so they can make informed choices! Specially designed for teaching adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities, the STARS model focuses on four areas (Understanding Relationships, Social Skills Training, Sexual Awareness, and Assertiveness) with the goals of promoting positive sexuality and preventing sexual abuse. Assessment tools help identify the strengths and needs of each individual, and then the activities can be catered to address specific needs.

Goals and activities cover a variety of important skills:

"STARS is one of the most valuable tools on my office bookshelf. I use it often to evaluate community safety, teach about inappropriate sexual behaviors, and to structure my consultation and training to residential and vocational support providers." - Patricia Miles Patterson, LCSW Midwest Center for Psychotherapy and Sex Therapy, Middleton, WI