Social Skills Assessment and Training for Mentally Retarded Persons: A Review of Research

We review research developments in the assessment and training of social skills with mentally retarded populations. Social skills of mentally retarded people are usually assessed via role-play tests, which may be criticized for their lack of external validity. The typical social skills training package includes instructions, modelling, behaviour rehearsal, feedback and possibly incentives. Favouring mildly retarded subjects, researchers have produced appropriate verbal and nonverbal responses in previously socially inept individuals. Training mentally retarded subjects in job interview skills is a recent variation of social-skills training. A number of issues are discussed including the need for individually tailored programmes, and the incorporation of the more subtle aspects of social competency into social skills training. Procedures to enhance the maintenance and generalization of social skills are outlined.