Assertiveness training and social skills training

A long time ago I worked for a charity which organised some assertiveness training, which I found very helpful. More recently my work organised some negotiation skills training and that was very helpful. They run training for job interviews too. 

This made me wonder what training might be available for my autistic son, who is a young adult hoping to leave home and go to university next year. Can you get assertiveness training? Can you get training and practice in how to handle different social situations - going to a party, chatting after a lecture, asking someone out on a date, sharing a flat with strangers; having a job interview - a way to practice and understand everyday situations like that? I wondered if anyone had found such things. 

We live in Surrey. 

  • i became more assertive after taking up martial arts.

    before that i was always a push over, always give way, always bend to others will, never stand up for myself, never speak back, was too pacifist and even thought its good to be skinny so as to not be harmful.

    after martial arts i became super assertive. didnt take any bad stuff from anyone. became fiery and passionate and stood up for myself and always strengthened myself.

    my dad didnt like it as he had to then back down more when i lived with him and stopped getting on my case. he eventually did try to argue again then found me shouting back at him for once and standing my ground.

    i think martial arts will give your son the extreme assertiveness needed to conquer the world and take his place in it without anyone pushing him from his rightfull place in the world.

  • Dear NAS93808,

    Please visit our online advice and guidance which explains more about young autistic people making the transition from school, further or higher education to adult life.  

    Transitions England  

    Making transition decisions  

    Transition tips  

    You might like to look at our socialising and relationships guides. These includes information for autistic adults and their loved ones on family life and tips for making friends https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/family-life-and-relationships 

    In addition, You may want to use our Autism Services Directory to search for services such as mentoring or coaching in your area that cater for people with an autism spectrum disorder. You can find the Directory here: https://www.autism.org.uk/directory 

    Kind Regards,

    Rosie Mod