About Social Skills Training

Social Skills Training  (SST/ HOPES) 

A manualized year-long rehabilitation program, with weekly skills classes supervised by a clinician and monthly community practice trips. Classes use SST principles: modeling, role playing, positive and corrective feedback, homework assignments. The curriculum has seven modules: Living Independently in the Community, Communicating Effectively, Making and Keeping Friends, Making the Most of Leisure Time, Using Medications Effectively, Healthy Living, and Making the Most of a Doctor’s Visit. Each module includes 6-8 component skills, with one skill taught each week in two sessions (normally morning and afternoon of the same day): a 90-minute session focused on a specific skill and a 60-minute session in which the skill is used in role-play exercises. A lunch break encourages socializing and semi-monthly community trips develop skills related to the module topics. Participants receive workbooks summarizing the skill areas and providing home practice assignments.