Assessment of Social Skills

Abstract

Assessment procedures that evaluate the effectiveness of training are important components of any social skills training program. Unfortunately, many social skills programs do not utilize an empirically based and comprehensive framework with which to assess their efficacy and, therefore, it is not known whether social behaviors were modified for the better. Furthermore, several evaluation strategies are deficient in identifying specific social skill deficits and excesses. Thus, several theoretical, methodological, and clinical issues pertaining to the assessment of children's social skills require further elaboration. The present chapter describes the functional purposes of assessment and provides a substantive review of assessment techniques and strategies along with their advantages and limitations.