Application of a Social Skill and Problem-Solving Group Training Program to Learning Disabled and Non-Learning Disabled Youth

Abstract

The efficacy of training social and problem-solving skills to learning disabled adolescents was evaluated by conducting a group skiff training program with three sets of youths: (a) LD adolescents attending an alternative high school, (b) non-LD youths attending the same school, and (c) court-adjudicated youths on probation with a juvenile court. Results of behavioral role-play tests showed that all three groups of youths performed the skills at low levels prior to training. With the training of each social skill, increases were shown by each group in that social skill level. Baseline levels of the untrained skills remained stable until after training. Initial increases apparent after training generally were maintained or increased throughout the program. On the cognitive problem-solving skill, LD adolescents showed a slight gain when compared to gains for non-LD and court-adjudicated youths.