Free Visual Support: Good Guy (PDF)
Many older individuals on the spectrum require support to understand social expectations and situations. Using a combination of Social Articles written at the appropriate developmental level and visual supports (e.g., flow charts) can be a powerful tool. Many of us know young adults with ASD who often look to others for validation of their behavior. They are frequently preoccupied with doing “the right thing” or a “good job.” This focus can often interfere with their participation in ongoing activities and interactions, especially if they are in complex social environments. Here is one example of a combination support that is helping a young adult shift his language from talking about himself as a “boy” to a more age-appropriate term, “guy,” and also helping him start to be able to self-monitor his behavior and provide his own validation. The video tutorial talks briefly about the design of the support and the rationale for the combination of supports.