SOCIAL SKILLS

How do you Assess Social Skills?

We assess social skills to obtain a profile of an individual's skills. This helps us to determine how an individual functions, and to determine treatment goals and objectives, as well as to monitor progress. We assess social skills using:

interviews
observations
direct sampling methods
formal assessments as needed

What Are Social Skills?

Social skills are multi-element skills that we use everyday to interact and communicate with one another. This includes both verbal and non-verbal language (e.g. gestures, body language, physical appearance). It also includes both social initiations and responses.

Why are Social Skills Important?

Social skills empower individuals to develop and maintain appropriate interactions with others. Social skills are important when developing and maintaining positive friendships. It is also important for individuals to understand how to engage in appropriate conflict resolution when social interactions do not go smoothly.

What do Impairments in Social Skills Look Like?

Impairments in social skills are unique to each individual we work with, however impairments can include deficits in:

making social interactions
responding to social overtures
demonstrating social comprehension

Qualitative aspects of social behaviors include a lack of clarity, inappropriate social interactions, amount of time between social interactions, and the duration of social interactions.

How Do You Teach Social Skills?

We use evidence based approaches to teaching social skills. We use a variety of methods to create effective interventions for the individuals we work with. Some of these methods include:

Video Modeling
Rule Cards
Scripts
Positive Reinforcement
Social Skills Curriculums

What about Generalization of Social Skills Taught in Groups?

We use a variety of methods to promote generalization of skills taught in groups. Within sessions we use explicit instruction, repeatedly practice the skills being taught, teach across settings and situations, and involve others in direct teaching situations. We also work with families through parent training to promote generalization of the skills taught after a session has come to an end. This includes the continued review of skills taught and the use of positive reinforcement systems.