The Social Skills Handbook

Now in a revised second edition, this book offers practical guidance for setting up and running social skills sessions to develop a range of skills from ‘Eye Contact’ and ‘Empathy’ to ‘Problem Solving’ and ‘Making Friends’. Now in a revised second edition, this book offers practical guidance for setting up and running social skills sessions. Based on well-established therapeutic principles, this is a flexible, easy-to-use resource suitable for practitioners and professionals working in a range of settings. An overview of social communication theory and the principles of groupwork forms a solid foundation for the session and activity guidance, structured so that the sessions progress from basic skills such as ‘Eye Contact’ and ‘Empathy’ to more complex skills such as ‘Problem Solving’ and ‘Making Friends’. Features of the book include: • Practical and theoretical information for session facilitators • Over 70 versatile, easy-to-follow activity suggestions designed to suit all ages and levels of social ability • An attractive visual layout that includes colour coded sections, tables and illustrations • Brand new activities focused on ‘Dealing with Conflict’ and social communication ‘In the Workplace’. With ever increasing numbers of people being diagnosed with some form of social difficulty, this book will be an essential resource for anybody working within health and social care, education and the community looking to teach and develop social confidence and communication skills.

This is a practical photocopiable guide to setting up and running social skills groups. The ideas presented will act as a stimulus to therapists and trainers working with clients who need to develop more effective social communication skills. Based on well-established therapeutic principles, it contains: an overview of pertinent theory and the principles of groupwork; and, a range of useful and adaptable ideas for practical activities designed to facilitate social communication skills. It starts with basic, confidence-building tasks and progresses to more complex assignments. All activities are easy to implement and clearly laid out with information on format, resources required and tips for group leaders.