If you have been waiting for a social skills training program that really works, this is it! Dr. Baker translates 20 years of outcome research and clinical experience into this new, user friendly model to support social skills training. There are 92 specific skill lessons covering:
- Emotion management (frustration, anger, anxiety, OCD, social fears and depression)
- Verbal and non verbal communication
- Play and group interaction
- Empathy, friendship and dating
- Conflict management
- Dealing with emergency situations
Social Skills Training is more than a manual of lessons as specific chapters clearly articulate the critical components of effective skills training including: partnering with clients to establish motivation, identifying relevant skill goals, teaching skills suited to the learners’ language functioning, generalizing skills, creating accepting peer environments, and measuring progress. This is a must have reference for teachers, professionals and parents that hope to improve social functioning in their students.
He clearly articulates models of the key components of skills training, based on outcome research. The chapters focusing on creating motivation for clients to partner to problem solve, as well as generalize their skills once they become automatic are informative and helpful to pass on to parents. I also found the chapters on creating peer accepting environments inspiring. I highly recommend this manual to practitioners, school personnel and parents of individuals with any social communication challenges