Developing Social SkillsDeveloping Social SkillsIdentifying and Addressing Social Identifying and Addressing Social

Skills Skills

Maria C. Iula, MS,CCC-SLP Maria C. Iula, MS,CCC-SLP

November 14,2007November 14,2007

AgendaAgenda

Discuss impact/value of Learning social skills

Encourage/enhance development at home

Social CompetenceSocial Competence “ Refers to a person’s interpersonal skills

with family, friends, acquaintances and authority figures. They include both verbal and nonverbal behaviors that are socially valued are likely to elicit a positive response from others.”

Betty Osman, Ph. D.

Social SkillsSocial Skills

“All of the things that we should say and do when we interact with people. They are specific abilities that allow a person to perform competently at a particular social task.”

Michele Novatri, Ph.D

Take a Moment…

Write down skills that you feel a socially competent individual might have.

Six Things That a Socially Competent Person Might do…….

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Social Skills DefinedSocial Skills DefinedTurn-takingPerspective-taking (empathy)Topic maintenanceVolume/proximityEye-contactInitiating, joining, maintaining conversationReading nonverbal cues and respondingUsing appropriate social scripts

Hidden CurriculumHidden Curriculum

Expected behavior

Not explicitly taught

Not part of the “obvious” curriculum

Social Skills and Accessing the Curriculum

Identify Skill & direct/indirect connection to the curriculum

Turn-taking

Speaking/listening………

Perspective Taking

Considering and adjusting to thoughts and emotions of others Adjusting one’s message given the priorknowledge and experience one has re other person

Topic Maintenance

Ability to think and talk about one thing at a time

Volume & Proximity

Adjusting the loudness of your voice to match the situationAdjusting your posture and position your relationship with your conversational partner

Eye-Contact

“Thinking with your eyes”Why make eye-contact?

Conversation

InitiatingJoiningMaintaining

Reading Non-verbal Cues and Responding

Identifying facial expressionsFeeling of othersEmpathic scripts (responding verbally to what you see)

Using Appropriate Verbal Scripts

Knowing what to say and how to say it

Missed Opportunities/Faulty Social Interactions

AnxietyChallenges in understanding expected behaviorUnable to process the rationale as to why they should perform a social functionExecutive functioning errors

MotivationUnderused perspective taking skillsUnable to use appropriate verbal scriptsUnable to correct past faulty interactions

DiscussionsRole playingGive others perspectiveDiscuss situations as they ariseUse feeling words at home

Accept anger not inappropriate responses to itTeach alternative responsesExpress feelings from your perspective

Parents as Educators

ConversationsConversations

Teach/explain how conversationsTeach commentingTeach questioningHow to initiate conversationAnswering questions

Perspective TakingPerspective TakingEncourage child to look at your fact to interpret emotion/ask how do I feelWhy do I feel this way?When you _____I feel. Others feel____Can you think of another way to say that/do that?Expected vs. unexpected behavior*

*Michele Garcia Winner

Discuss Situations Discuss Situations As They AriseAs They Arise

Have child express their version of what happened Identify the mistake in “their” wordsAssist child in determining the actual error and whyProvide example or a social story of your own

Use Feeling Words at HomeUse Feeling Words at Home

Give child words to describe emotions(you look ______)Use photos of family members expressing wide range of emotion

Accept Anger/Not Inappropriate Accept Anger/Not Inappropriate ResponsesResponsesIt’s ok to be angryIt’s ok to express itIt’s a valued emotionExpress emotionConnect with the feelingProvide good modelLearn appropriate scriptsHow to calm downFlexibility*

*Michele Garcia Winner

What Next?What Next?

Implement strategies at home

Parents with questions about Workshop

email:miula@haddonfield.k12.nj.us