Lisa Barrett Mann, M.S.Ed. 

Social Skills Training 

Social Skills Training is a broad term used to describe interventions that are designed to teach individuals the skills necessary to navigate their social world, fit in with their peers, and interact in a positive way with both familiar and unfamiliar people. The emphasis and techniques can vary significantly, depending on the instructor and the setting.

Lisa's Approach 

Lisa's social skills training programs focus not just on appropriate behavior, but on social thinking and friendship skills.

The curriculum varies somewhat, depending on the children’s needs and interests, but involves multiple cognitive and behavioral intervention techniques, such as:

• Cognitive interpretation (interpreting facial expressions, body language, context, etc.)
• Video modeling/self-modeling
• Role playing
• Group discussions
• Cognitive strategies (specific strategies for interpreting social situations or emotions and responding appropriately)
• Scripts (practicing dialogue to use in specific social situations)
• Direct skill instruction
• Positive reinforcement

Initial Assessment 

In order for students to get the most out of social skills training, Lisa believes in keeping groups very small. Every effort is made to assign students to partners or groups based not just on age or grade level, but also by other characteristics that may influence their compatibility (interests, strengths, challenges, etc.). Therefore, before being assigned to a group, each child must attend an individual evaluation session.

In some cases, 1-to-1 intervention may be recommended in addition to or prior to joining group social skills training.

The Importance of Outside Practice