Social Skills in Children with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research has documented that children with learning disabilities exhibit deficits in social skills. This paper reviews the existing literature on factors that may contribute to the social skills deficits of children with learning disabilities. These factors include social perception, behavioral problems, problem solving ability, and verbal communication. In addition, the relation of social skills deficits to the peer status of children with learning disabilities is discussed. Research on the effectiveness of methods to facilitate and increase a child's social skills are reviewed. Implications for occupational therapy treatment and research are discussed.