Practice evaluation report: A social skills training group for people with severe-grade mental handicap

Abstract

This practice evaluation report aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a six-session social skills training group which was targeted at four members with severe-grade mental handicap. Social skills were found to be a common deficit of people with mental handicap, yet an essential component to achieve rehabilitation. The group was held at a day activity and residential facility and was designed to improve the skills of social smile and eye contact of group members when interacting with others. The intervention was designed based on the integration of Skinner’s behavioural contingency model, Bandura’s social learning theory and Argyle’s social skills model. The intervention was assessed by natural and analog observation, as well as a pre-post test based on the Traver’s scale. Most of the members had shown improvement in facial expression and eye contact based on the scale. The improvement of members’ performance had suggested that the members had room to develop but their opportunity of receiving similar trainings was limited in agency. Agency was recommended to provide opportunities for members to attend training in a continuous manner. Group learning experiences were different from individual training, especially effective in developing social skills. Members required long-term training to reach their optimum level.