Social skills training

Les compétences sociales englobent diverses dimensions de la cognition, de l'émotion et du comportement, constituant la base des interactions interpersonnelles significatives. La formation aux compétences sociales vise à améliorer des aptitudes telles que la résolution de problèmes, la régulation émotionnelle, ainsi que la communication verbale et non verbale. Ce type de formation est généralement dispensé par le biais d'exercices, de tâches et d'activités structurées, en séances individuelles ou en groupe, sous la direction d'un professionnel de la santé. Lorsque cela est possible, il peut également être mis en œuvre de manière autonome par la personne, avec le soutien des aidants ou des membres de la famille ayant reçu l'éducation et les conseils appropriés. L'objectif est de fournir des occasions naturelles et quotidiennes de pratiquer et de généraliser ces compétences, améliorant ainsi la compétence sociale globale et la qualité de vie.
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.