Social Skills Project

2015

The Social Skills Project utilizes two different approaches to teaching school skills in school settings. The PEERS curriculum developed at UCLA is intended for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, and other social challenges. The program focuses on skills related to making and keeping friends and managing peer conflict and rejection. PEERS teaches social skills using concrete rules and steps of social behavior and utilizes the Socratic method, role-play demonstrations, perspective taking questions, rehearsal exercises, coaching with feedback, and homework assignments as teaching methods. Group facilitators receive ongoing coaching support. Group observations are conducted to determine fidelity of implementation and outcome data is gathered using pre and post group measures completed by participating students and teachers. In addition, the Social Thinking program has been used for younger students. Intensive professional development and consultation is provided to group facilitators, as well as professional development for the student's classroom teachers to support generalization of skills. School-wide information is shared so that everyone is using the same vocabulary and skills can be reinforced in multiple settings. Parent workshops are also offered so families can support their child's social skills at home.

Performing Research or Evaluation

Education & Early Intervention

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Other

Mulit-County

N/A