Developing social skills with pupils who have learning disabilities in elementary school

Učenci s primanjkljaji na posameznih področjih učenja (v nadaljevanju PPPU) zaradi nekaterih svojih značilnosti, kot so npr. težave s pozornostjo, pomnjenjem, mišljenjem, komunikacijo in s počasnejšim socialnim ter čustvenim dozorevanjem, predstavljajo skupino z večjim tveganjem za razvoj težav v psihosocialnem delovanju. Učenci s PPPU imajo poleg težav na specifičnih področjih učenja pogosto težave pri razumevanju socialnih situacij in pri odzivanju nanje, pogosto so osamljeni, depresivni, anksiozni, lahko imajo negativno samopodobo, so lahko slabše sprejeti s strani vrstnikov, pri njih pogosto prepoznamo slabše razvite socialne spretnosti in več težav pri vzpostavljanju in vzdrževanju socialnih odnosov. Slednje nakazuje, da mnogi učenci s PPPU poleg pomoči na specifičnih področjih učenja potrebujejo pomoč tudi na področju socialnega delovanja. V pričujočem delu smo želeli z načrtnim razvijanjem socialnih veščin (trening socialnih veščin – TSV) opolnomočiti učence s PPPU za lažje premagovanje težav na socialnem področju delovanja. Naš raziskovalni namen je bil ugotoviti, ali lahko s TSV vplivamo na samopodobo posameznih učencev s PPPU, na njihovo socialno sprejetost in na medosebne odnose v razredu, pa tudi na boljšo povezanost učencev s PPPU in njihovimi sošolci. TSV je bil na podlagi različnih podatkov namensko zasnovan za tri učence s PPPU in razred, ki so ga obiskovali. Izvajan je bil enkrat tedensko po eno uro, od februarja do maja 2013. Pri preučevanju TSV smo uporabili metodo akcijskega raziskovanja, pri čemer smo primerjali dobljene rezultate na preučevanih področjih pred in po TSV. Pri tem smo uporabili triangulacijo virov podatkov (intervjuji z učenci s PPPU, intervjuji z njihovo učiteljico, strokovna dokumentacija) in metod raziskovanja (akcijsko raziskovanje, sociometrična preizkušnja, vprašalniki, opazovanje). Rezultati so glede na poročanje učencev s PPPU in njihove učiteljice pokazali na pozitivne učinke TSV na samopodobo učencev s PPPU, po TSV so bili učenci s PPPU bolj socialno sprejeti in z večjo socialno podporo v razredu, izboljšali pa so se tudi njihovi medosebni odnosi v razredu. Delo je lahko izhodišče za načrtovanje in spremljanje učinkov TSV z drugimi skupinami oseb s PPPU ter oseb, ki imajo težave na področju medosebnih odnosov in njihovega razumevanja.Pupils with specific learning disabilities (LD) represent a group with a higher risk for slower developing social and emotional maturity in psyhophisical and social activities due to some characteristics like difficulties in concentration, remembering, thinking, and communication. These pupils don\u27t have difficulties only in specific areas of learning but often in understanding social situations and reacting to them, they are often lonely, depressive, anxious, they can have a poor self-image, they are not accepted well by their peers, we can recognize poorly developed social skills and numerous difficulties in maintaining social relations. The letter signals that many pupils with LD don\u27t need just help in specific learning areas but also in areas of developing social skills. In this master\u27s degree work we wanted to show how to qualify pupils with LD to surmount difficulties in areas of social activities by means of intentionally developing social activities. Our aim of research was to find out whether we can influence by training of social skills on self-image of pupils with LD, on their social acceptance and on their mutual relations in the class, and also on better communication among pupils with LD and their classmates. On the basis of different data training of social skills was designed on purpose for three pupils with LD and their classmates. It was performed for an hour once a week, from February to May 2013. Researching social skills training (SST) we used the method of action research, and then we compared the results in researching areas before and after applying SST. We used three different ways of research (such as interview with pupils with LD, interview with their classteacher, and professional documentation), and the method of research (action research, sociomethrical test, questionarries, and observation). Considering the reports of pupils with LD and their classteachers the results showed positive effects of SST on self-image of the pupils with PPPU. After SST the pupils with LD were accepted and supported by their classmates better than before, and their interpersonal relations were improved. This master\u27s degree work can be the starting point for planning and observing the effects of SST with other groups of persons with LD and persons, who have difficulties in interpersonal relations and understanding them