Socialization and Self Socialization and Self EsteemEsteem

OverviewOverviewMuch of society view students

with disabilities as “socially incompetent based on behaviors”

Such views lead to diminished self-esteem

Social skills are crucial to the success of inclusion and need to be taught in the school setting with same-age peers

OutlineOutline

I. Socialization

II. Self Esteem

III. Peer Relationships

SocializationSocializationChallenging BehaviorsChallenging BehaviorsRecognize their purpose

◦Escape from an undesirable or difficult task

◦Avoidance of non-reinforcing activities or events

◦Need for more sensory stimulation◦Desire for something that the

student has no words or way to communicate

SocializationSocializationSkills and BehaviorsSkills and BehaviorsElementary School

◦Basics of social interaction◦Sharing◦Environment

SocializationSocializationSkills and BehaviorsSkills and BehaviorsMiddle School

◦Pressure to be like the group◦Knowing how and when to resist

peer pressure

SocializationSocializationSkills and BehaviorsSkills and BehaviorsHigh School

◦Preparation for real world, work or college

◦Self-advocacy skills◦Workplace social skills◦Ability to solve social problems and

make social decisions

Tips for Teaching Social Tips for Teaching Social SkillsSkills1. Ask previous teachers for effective

techniques2. Expose students with social skills deficits to

other students who demonstrate the appropriate behaviors (mentors)

3. Establish consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors

4. Seek input from the student about his or her strengths, weaknesses and goals

5. Reward more than you punish to build student self-esteem

6. Ask others (students and staff) to be friendly to students who have social skills deficits

7. Be patient

Instructional Strategies for Instructional Strategies for Social SkillsSocial SkillsDirect Instruction

◦ Review, state objectives, present new material, provide practice and feedback, provide independent practice and review

ModelingBehavioral Reversal with Coaching

(practice of skills)Role-playCognitive Strategies (self-talk)Peer TutoringCommunity Based Instruction

Examples of Social Skills Examples of Social Skills GoalGoalElementary

◦Friendship Making Goal: The student will introduce himself

appropriately Objective: State the occasions when it is

appropriate to introduce oneself

Objective: Say “Hello, my name is John,” and extend hand for a handshake to three new people at school or in the community

Ideas for Social Skills Ideas for Social Skills ActivitiesActivitiesRead The Way I Feel

◦by Janan CainFaces Show FeelingsRole-play situations

◦Show facial expressions

DiscussionDiscussionShare an example you have had

with a student demonstrating a lack of knowledge or experience regarding a certain social skill.

Self-EsteemSelf-EsteemLittle success in academics and

social skills can lead to a poor self concept

Learned helplessnessAttribute success to luck and

failure to lack of ability

Self-EsteemSelf-EsteemProvide student opportunities to

be successfulINCLUDE strategy

◦Identify classroom demands◦Note student strengths and needs◦Check for potential successes and◦Look for potential problems◦Decide on adaptations

INCLUDE exampleINCLUDE exampleIdentify classroom demands

◦ Math test involving solving word problems using addition

Note student strengths and needs◦ Strengths: Good reasoning skills◦ Needs: Problems mastering math facts, sums

of 10-18Check for potential successes andLook for potential problems

◦ Success: Student is good at solving problems◦ Problem: Student misses problems due to

math fact errorsDecide on adaptations

◦ Allow use of calculator

Self-EsteemSelf-EsteemFor all people, including those

with disabilities, we must Feel connected Feel unique Feel empowered

Ideas for Self Esteem Ideas for Self Esteem ActivitiesActivitiesRead I Like Myself!

by Karen Beaumont

Discuss differencesDraw “Me!” and shareCircle sharing “______ is special

because _____________.”

DiscussionDiscussionShare a strategy you have used

with a student, with or without a disability, who has low self-esteem

Peer RelationshipsPeer RelationshipsAs many as 75% of students with

disabilities experience difficulty with social interactions and relationships

Peer RelationshipsPeer RelationshipsTeaching socialization

◦Observe what other students do (and do not do) in situations

◦Compare this with what the target student does in similar situations

◦Identify the discrepancies◦Teach the missing skills

Peer RelationshipsPeer RelationshipsSubstance Abuse

◦Lack of knowledge increases risk◦Educate

Self-Protection◦Awareness◦Skills

Sexual Abuse◦Educate◦Communicate

Examples of Social Skills Examples of Social Skills GoalsGoalsSecondary Level

◦Resisting Peer Pressure Goal: The student will resist peer

pressure Objective: Generate a list of reasons she

should not skip school and keep them in her purse

Objective: Use some of all of these reasons when responding to peer pressure

DiscussionDiscussionShare a situation you have

encountered regarding a student experiencing pressure in a peer relationship. What did or did not work?

ConclusionConclusionAddress, discuss, teach and

practice self-esteem and social skills

Each child and situation is different, be flexible and adaptive

Teach how great it is to be unique!

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ReferencesReferences Friend, M. & Bursick, W.D. (2002). Including

students with special needs: A practical guide for classroom teachers. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Newberger, D.A. (1978). Situational socialization: An affective interaction component of the

mainstreaming reintegration construct. The Journal of Special Education, 12(2).

Vaughn, S. et al. (Jan/Feb 2003). Social Skills interventions for young children with disabilities: A synthesis of group design studies. Remedial and Special Education 24(1), 2- 15.

Wehman, P. & Kregal, J. (2004). Functional curriculum for elementary, middle, and secondary age students with special needs. (2nd ed.) Austin, TX: Pro-Ed