Social Skills Training
By Jenna Martorana, Jen Blessing, Shawn Nies, Augustina Natelli and Emily Moore
Description
Purpose
Definition:
- In order to train specific social skills, the training normally begins with a definition and then a discussion of the desirable social skill.
- The teacher will then use one of the four methods: Modeling, Shaping, Coaching, Modeling/reinforcement
- Often formative evaluation is used to determine whether the purposes of the lessons have been accomplished.
- It is important that the curriculum materials are chosen carefully.
- It is also crucial to monitor appropriate social skills outside of their training situations.
- Reinforcement of those skills throughout the day is key for students to fully comprehend and obtain the targeted social skill.
The purpose of social skills training is to give individuals who have trouble interpreting verbal and nonverbal behaviors that appear in social situations the ability to do so. When a patient improves their social skills or behaviors, it is believed that their self-esteem will improve as well as others responding in a more favorable way towards them. The goal is to help a patient with their everyday social interactions.
"Social skills training (SST) is a form of behavior therapy used by teachers, therapists, and trainers to help persons who have difficulties relating to other people" (Social Skills Training).
SST In General Education Classroom
References
4 Categories of SST Procedure
Who does social skills training help?
- Incredible Years Programs in Ohio - Social Skills Training for Children, Parents and Teachers. (2013, January 4). YouTube. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from
- Mastropieri, M. A., & Scruggs, T. E. (2010). The inclusive classroom: strategies for effective differentiated instruction (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Merrill.
- Mental Disorders. (n.d.). Social skills training. Retrieved November 19, 2013, from http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Social-skills-training.html
- Social Skills and Academic Achievement. (n.d.). National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://nichcy.org/research/ee/social-skills#resources
- Train Specific Social Skills
- Define and Discuss Target Skill
- Choose Curriculum Thoughtfully
- Conduct On-the-Spot Training
- Train for Generalization
- Realistic, Real-Life Homework, Communicate with Parents
- Validate Treatment and Document Effectiveness
- Assessment
- Sociometric Measure, Teacher Rating Scales, Observation
- Modeling
- Shaping
- Coaching
- Modeling/Reinforcement
Some of the disorders treated by social skills trainers include:
- shyness
- adjustment disorders
- marital and family conflicts,
- anxiety disorders
- ADD/ADHD
- social phobia
- alcohol dependence
- depression
- bipolar disorder
- schizophrenia
- developmental disabilities
- avoidant personality disorder
- paranoid personality disorder
- obsessive compulisve disorder
- schizotypal personality disorder
- students at risk of suspension/expulsion or failure
- students without disabilities!!!