Social Skills

By

Maureen Holben

Definition of Social Skills

A. Personal Coping Skills: competency in social skills needed for daily living

B. Interpersonal Skills: ability to define a problem and determine how one feels, consequential thinking

Who needs social skills?

Students with and without disabilities can benefit from instruction. Personal coping skills and interpersonal skills are needed to form and maintain relationships in school, at home, and in the community.

Necessity of Having and Learning Social Skills

A. “Safe Schools”

B. Conflict Resolution

C. Character Education

D. Values Education

E. Practical Living Skills

Types of Social Problems

A. Impulsive

B. Bossy

C. Disruptive in class

D. Speaking before thinking

E. Cannot accept the word “No”

Types of Social Problems (cont.)

F. Negative expressive behaviors (crying,

stamping feet, hitting others, throwing

objects)

G. Cannot accept constructive criticism

H. Lack of sensitivity to others/lack of empathy

Measuring Behavior

A. Skill deficient or inadequate

B. Cognitive ability

C. Can practice skill

Measuring Behavior, cont.

D. Change behavior

E. Skill necessary now and future

F. Assess and record behavior

Objectives

A. Fundamental language concepts

B. Cue sensitivity

C. Goal identification

D. Empathy

Objectives, cont.

E. Alternative thinking

F. Consequential thinking

G. Procedural thinking

H. Integrating skills

Strategies

A. Classroom rules

B. Group interaction

C. Stress management

D. Social stories 1. Instructional 2. Behavioral

Strategies, cont.

E. Role playing

F. Game playing

G. Daily behavior/point sheets

H. Written contract

Strategies, cont.

I. Self-reporting/monitoring

J. Videos/discussions

K. Reinforcement

L. Modeling

Strategies, cont.

M. Behavior rehearsal

N. Feedback

O. Environmental changes

Measuring Programs

A. Behavior scales

B. Asses continuously

Conclusion

A. Academic endeavors

B. Social skill deficits: 1/3 of students with learning disabilities

C. Socially responsible