Evaluation of Social Skills: A Survey of Current Practice

Abstract

Occupational therapists in the Atlantic Region were surveyed to identify their perceptions of the importance of evaluating social skills in their practice, and to determine how they evaluate clients' social skills. Although 79% indicated that social skills evaluations were relevant, the majority reported that clinical observations were used almost exclusively for assessment. Only 29% of the respondents reported using any formal evaluation of social skills. According to the respondents, the evaluation process was hampered by their limited knowledge of available evaluation tools, limited access to social skills models, and insufficient time. These results indicate that therapists' knowledge of existing evaluation tools must be increased. Development of a theoretical model that will enable therapists to define social skills and relate clients' social skills to their occupational performance will also facilitate the evaluation process. As a consequence, therapists' evaluation of clients' social skills will be more efficient.