Strategies that are directed toward teaching a child appropriate social behaviors and alternative ways to communicate are valuable. Many social skills training techniques for children with behavior problems are available in the literature. The rationale for developing a social skills training program for a child is to increase the child's success in interpersonal relationships and in the development of friends. The approach identified below analyzes the social functions by systematically identifying the child¹s current methods of communication, determining appropriate versus inappropriate methods, and then developing a target objective and intervention. The following list looks at six areas of social and communication functions to be evaluated.

1. To express needs and wants.
2. To request assistance.
3. To protest and communicate distress.
4. To respond to social interactions.
5. To initiate social interactions.
6. To maintain social interactions.

The following social skills training looks at the above six areas of social function through a seven step process. This format is an outline for planning a behavior intervention to increase appropriate social skills (see social skills training form in chapter 6 appendix).