Table 2.

ACCESS Curriculum

Module	Lesson Topic	Lesson Content
Introduction and Core Skills for Group Work	1)Introduction to ACCESS Program	Introduction of leaders Overview of purpose of program, lesson topics, structure of sessions, and group rules Group bonding activity - members present a timeline of some life accomplishments and challenges
	2)Social Circles, Disclosure and Constructive Feedback	“Social Circles” – level of closeness to a person depends on their type of relationship to you How much you disclose to a person is based on the social circle they are in c) “Constructive Feedback Sandwich” tool
Stress and Anxiety Coping Skills	3)Reactions to Stress	How you react to stressful situations Identify whether your reaction is helpful or unhelpful
	4)Introduction to Cognitive Model and Automatic Thoughts	What are automatic thoughts How negative, unrealistic automatic thoughts lead to unhelpful reactions How positive, realistic automatic thoughts lead to helpful reactions
	5)Anxious Feelings	Emotions vs. physical feelings Identify your physical feelings associated with stress and anxiety (e.g., headache, heart racing, stomachache) How you react when you have these physical feelings
	6)Thinking Traps	Types of negative, unrealistic thoughts (i.e.. Thinking Traps) Identify whether you habitually fall into certain thinking traps Negative impact of thinking traps on your self-esteem, mood, and motivation to achieve goals
	7)Stress Coping Tool: Weigh the Evidence	How to identify whether a thought is unrealistic (i.e., thinking trap) Use “Weigh the Evidence” tool to determine whether a thought is realistic or unrealistic
	8)Stress Coping Tool: Coping Statements	How to challenge thinking traps Use “Coping Statements” tool to replace unrealistic thoughts with realistic thoughts
	9)Review Stress Coping Tools	Review of stress coping tools Use of stress coping tools in everyday life
	10)Avoidance	How thinking traps and stress lead you to avoid trying new things and achieving goals Immediate result of avoiding a situation that triggers stress Long-term result of avoiding a situation that triggers stress
Self-Determination Skills	11)Goal Setting and Problem Solving Tools	How to use “Small Steps” tool to reach goals How to use “Savoring” tool to appreciate each successful step How to adapt plan and take smaller steps to overcome obstacles and overwhelming feelings
	12)Relaxation Tools	How to use relaxation tools to manage stress from taking steps toward goals and engaging in adult roles Relaxation tools (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, peaceful place, progressive muscle relaxation)
	13)Planning and	Planning for short-term goals and long-term goals
Adaptive and Social Skills	14)Core Workplace Rules and Tools	Identifying your career preferences and strengths Disclosing your disability in the workplace Practical rules and time management skills in the workplace
	15)Workplace Culture and Social Rules	How to identify the culture and social expectations in a workplace Understanding how your strengths and challenges fit certain workplace cultures
	16)Giving and Receiving Feedback	Review of “Constructive Feedback Sandwich” tool How to receive feedback in the workplace and other settings How to grow from feedback and not fall into thinking traps
	17)Friendships and Boundaries in the Workplace	Friendship continuum (acquaintance, casual friend, close friend) How to find new friends as an adult Friendships in the workplace and issues around disclosure and maintaining boundaries
	18)Deepening Friendships	How to develop deep friendships Understanding how a friendship can change over time to become more or less close
	19)Reflection on Progress and Graduation	Review of social skills Reflection on skills and topics covered across program, and use of skills in everyday life Graduation ceremony