Poor Peer Interactions and Social Isolation: A Case Report of Successful in Vivo Social Skills Training on a Child Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

The effects of social skills training comprising didactic instructions, coaching, modeling, feedback and reinforcement were examined in a child diagnosed Conduct Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder in whom social isolation and poor peer interactions were prominent features. Treatment was implemented in the specific settings in which deficient social performance was noted using a multiple baseline design. Application of social skills training led to increased rates of appropriate interactions with peers and decreased rates of playing alone. In addition, pre-and post treatment scores on the Child Behavior Checklist and School Behavior Checklist showed significantly decreased dysfunctional behaviors after training. Follow-up contact 1 and 12 months following discharge indicated that the child continued to socialize more with peers and to show improved adjustment