Evidence-Based Practices
for
Social & Behavioral Skills

Social Skills Training (SST)

Definition:

A structured intervention aimed at teaching individuals how to appropriately interact with others in social situations.

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Why it's recommended:

• Focuses on teaching key social skills such as communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

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• Provides opportunities for practice in real-life situations, promoting generalization of skills.

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• Includes role-playing and feedback to improve social competence.

Social Narratives (SN)

Definition:

Short stories or scripts that describe social situations and appropriate responses to help individuals understand social norms.​

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Why it's recommended:

• Offers clear, step-by-step explanations of social interactions, reducing confusion.

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• Can be tailored to specific situations or behaviors, increasing relevance and engagement.

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• Helps individuals with ASD visualize and practice appropriate social behaviors.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

Definition:

A proactive approach that focuses on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors rather than punishing negative ones.

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Why it's recommended:

• Emphasizes prevention and consistent reinforcement of positive behaviors.

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• Reduces challenging behaviors by addressing the root causes and promoting desired behaviors.

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• ​Supports a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Self-Management (SN)

Definition:

Teaching individuals to monitor and regulate their own behavior, including setting goals, tracking progress, and self-reinforcement.

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Why it's recommended:

• Encourages independence and accountability by giving students control over their behavior.​

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• Fosters the ability to manage emotions and make appropriate behavioral choices in various settings.

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• ​Builds long-term behavioral skills that can be generalized across different environments.