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| POWER-Solving: A Systematic Approach to Teaching Social Skills |
| Friday, May 25, 2012 |
| 4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
| 612 (Convention Center) |
| Area: AUT/CBM; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Rita F. Gordon, M.Ed. |
| STEVEN GORDON (Behavior Therapy Associates, P.A.), RITA F. GORDON (Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey) |
| Description: Youth with social skills impairments include those with a range of DSM-IV diagnoses such as autism, Asperger's disorder, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Social skill deficits have been associated with negative outcomes in future adjustment (i.e., educational achievement, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being). The scientific research on social skills training has generally found a weak effect with limitations as to the manner in which it has been implemented. POWER-Solving has been adapted from the social information processing literature related to improving problem solving skills. POWER-Solving is an acronym that addresses the core deficits seen in many of these children: put the problem into words, observe and measure feelings, what is the goal and how strongly is the goal desired, explore and evaluate solutions, and review and reward. POWER-Solving was implemented in a 6-week summer day program for children with social skills impairments known as Helping Improve Social Skills Through Evidence-Based Practices (HI-STEP). Principles associated with applied behavior analysis (ABA) such as pinpointing target behaviors, functional behavior assessments, positive behavior supports, antecedent/consequence interventions, and data collection are the backbone of the summer program. This workshop is at an intermediate level and assumes participants have prior knowledge of ABA principles. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
Identify the five steps associated with POWER-Solving
Identify the components of applying POWER-Solving social skills
Identify evidence-based strategies that contribute to success in social skills and problem-solving
Apply POWER-Solving to a specific social skill of their choosing |
| Activities: Participants will view a PowerPoint presentation regarding the history and concepts of POWER-Solving. Videotapes of learners using POWER-Solving will be viewed. An opportunity to apply behavioral strategies to teaching a social skill of participants' choosing will be provided. |
| Audience: This workshop is appropriate for teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, and mental health professionals. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |