SOCIAL SKILLS Instruction and Competence

1. SOCIAL SKILLSInstruction and Competence Donna M. Janney University of Arizona

2. Agenda Definitions Purpose Evaluating programs Ways to enhance programs Programs Resources

3. Social Competence The goal of social skills instruction. Ability to develop and maintain effective, prosocial, interpersonal relationships in various settings. Social skills instruction is no different than academic instruction. The goal is competence/mastery.Social skills instruction is no different than academic instruction. The goal is competence/mastery.

4. Social Skills Learned behaviors that make it possible to: Get along with others Gain acceptance Develop and maintain friendships Manage anger Maintain self-control Problem solve All of these skills contribute to a better quality of life that improves possibility for academic success.All of these skills contribute to a better quality of life that improves possibility for academic success.

5. Social Skills include: Social behaviors Maintaining eye contact Taking turns Asking before taking Social knowledge e.g., what it means to take turns

6. Social Skills include: Social-cognitive processes Utilize problem solving skills Regulation skills Enable one to inhibit disruptive behavior Social-cognitive processes: response/consequence; learning by observing; more likely to use behavior modeled by one with whom the learner associates.Social-cognitive processes: response/consequence; learning by observing; more likely to use behavior modeled by one with whom the learner associates.

7. Purpose of Social Skills Instruction Promote prosocial, interpersonal behaviors that lead to the development of social competence.

8. Social Skills Instruction What does it do? Combines strategies to teach appropriate interpersonal, self-discipline, and problem solving skills.

9. Social Skills Instruction Who needs it? Everyone Students who have social difficulties. poor peer relations difficulty with self-management trouble following directions difficulty managing anger

10. Social Skills Instruction Who receives it? That is for the YOU to decide. Social skills instruction can be provided to an individual student or groups of students. prevention intervention

11. Social Skills Instruction Taught by same procedures and principles used to teach academic skills. Universal, secondary and tertiary levels of intensity. More effective if accompanied by reductive techniques to reduce or eliminate problem behaviors (e.g., PBIS; functional behavioral assessment; behavior intervention plan)

12. Evaluating Programs Checklist

13. Ways to Enhance Social Skills Instruction Embed social skills instruction in the classroom and schoolwide curricula. Match intensity of instruction with intensity and type of problem behavior. Informal � use �teachable moments� Formal � planned, focused, scheduled

14. Ways to Enhance Social Skills Instruction Incorporate strategies to promote generalization. Evaluate based on accuracy, fluency, degree of improvement, change in perception of child by others.

15. Ways to Enhance Social Skills Instruction Make it relevant to the student � culturally and personally Provide numerous opportunities for observation of behaviors Provide numerous opportunities to imitate/practice behaviors

16. Second Step Program FOR: Pre-K � 8th grade WHAT: Violence prevention program designed to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior in children. HOW: Grade-specific curriculums taught by teachers and youth service providers. FAMILY COMPONENT: Yes http://www.nal.usda.gov/pavnet/ye/yesecste.htm http://www.rres.srvusd.k12.ca.us/2ndstep1.html

17. Skillstreaming FOR: Early childhood, elementary, and adolescent WHAT: Curriculum set with guide, student manual, forms, and skill cards. HOW: Modeling, role playing, performance feedback and homework FAMILY COMPONENT: Yes http://www.skillstreaming.com

18. PeaceBuilders FOR: Young child, child, pre-teen and teen WHAT: Anti-violence curriculum for creating safe, positive environments. HOW: Curriculum set with guide, student manual, forms, and skill cards. FAMILY COMPONENT: Yes http://www.peacebuilders.com/

19. I Can Problem Solve FOR: Early Childhood WHAT: Program for changing thinking style HOW: Use of pictures, role-playing, puppets, and group interaction. FAMILY COMPONENT: No http://www.thinkingchild.com/icps.htm

20. ASSIST ProgramAffective Social Skills: Instructional Strategies and Techniques FOR: Primary and Intermediate WHAT: Curriculum focusing on skills related to the classroom, basic interactions, getting along, making friends, and coping. HOW: Scripted, direct instruction. FAMILY COMPONENT: No http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0761977767&id=-kQy3rJ1vz8C&pg=RA1-PA63&lpg=RA1-PA63&ots=qpFi4XnExx&dq=Affective+Social+Skills:+Instructional+Strategies+and+Techniques&sig=4hSyB1g-Xy4FXXxWDM2ocm0Tp2U#PRA1-PA57,M1

21. The ACCEPTS Program FOR: Kindergarten � 6th grade WHAT: Social skills curriculum HOW: Series of teacher handbooks related to cooperation, friendship, self- concept, caring and sexual abuse FAMILY COMPONENT: No http://www.proedinc.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=625

22. Additional Resources www.teachingld.org/pdf/alert9_03.pdf Social skills instruction for students with learning disabilities. http://www.promisingpractices.net/programs_topic.asp Provides quality, evidence-based programs that are rated as proven or promising practices.