Social skills training

Social skills encompass various dimensions of cognition, emotion, and behavior, forming the basis for meaningful interpersonal interactions. Social skills training is designed to enhance abilities such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and both verbal and non-verbal communication. This type of training is typically delivered through exercises, tasks, and structured activities in either individual or group settings, and is guided by a health professional. When feasible, it can also be implemented in a self-directed manner by the individual with the support of caregivers or family members who have received appropriate education and guidance. The aim is to provide natural, everyday opportunities for practicing and generalizing these skills, thereby improving overall social competence and quality of life.

A thorough assessment of behaviors that challenge is essential to tailor interventions effectively. Such an assessment should make full use of existing documentation on personal, educational, occupational, social, and communication functioning, and it must also evaluate coexisting conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, global delays, or intellectual disabilities—especially in adults with autism. Additionally, the evaluation should consider the individual’s expressive and receptive communication abilities, physical and mental health issues (including medication effects and side effects), and developmental history (including neurodevelopmental challenges and autism severity). It should also examine the response to previous interventions for challenging behaviors, as well as the impact of these behaviors on the individual's quality of life, independent living skills, educational and occupational performance, and social relationships. Factors such as cultural influences, life history (including trauma or abuse), recent changes in routine, sensory preferences, and the physical and care environment (e.g., lighting, noise, available activities) are all critical to understanding the context in which these behaviors occur.

By integrating comprehensive assessments with targeted social skills training, parents and professionals can create individualized intervention plans that address both the observable behaviors and the underlying factors that contribute to them. This holistic approach not only enhances communication and social engagement but also ensures that environmental and personal variables are taken into account, fostering more effective and lasting improvements in daily functioning.