Teaching Individuals with Autism Problem-Solving Skills for Resolving Social Conflicts

Suarez et al. (2022) worked with three autistic boys.

The team used a short BST package: explain, model, practice, and feedback.

A simple worksheet guided each boy to name the problem, list choices, pick one, and try it.

Sessions happened where real peer conflicts popped up—lunch, recess, group work.

All three boys learned to work through fights or teasing using the sheet.

Later, without the sheet, they still solved new conflicts on their own.

Skills held up weeks later, showing true generalization.

MByiers et al. (2025) also used BST plus a prompt, but taught self-protection against bullying.

Both studies show BST with a small aid—worksheet or text card—works for conflict skills.

Hood et al. (2017) taught greeting and chat skills years earlier with BST and live feedback.

Their big gains foreshadow Suarez’s results, proving BST keeps delivering across different social targets.

Grob et al. (2019) moved the same BST steps to adults on the spectrum for job social skills.

They found you must teach each work skill one by one, while Suarez’s kids generalized conflict resolution without extra training.

The difference is age and setting, not the BST core.

You can add Suarez’s worksheet to your BST toolkit today.

It takes minutes to make and lets learners carry the plan in their pocket.

After a few days, fade the sheet and watch them solve new playground or classroom spats on their own.