ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 12 > Iss. 3 (2024)
Credentials Display
Sheryl Eckberg Zylstra, DOT, MS, OTR/L, BCP; Yvonne Swinth, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Aimee Sidhu, OTD, MA, OTR/L; Julie Anderson, DrOT, OTR/L
Abstract
Background: Social skills support the development of a positive self-concept and engagement in a variety of life roles, habits, and routines. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework clearly defines the occupational therapist’s role in working with children with difficulties in social skills; however, little research exists examining the effectiveness of occupational therapy-led group interventions to support social skills development. Incorporating parent training into social skill development can improve overall outcomes and reinforce skill development across contexts.
Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether an occupational therapy-led social skill group, combined with parent training, was effective in improving social skill outcomes in children with parent-reported social skill delays.
Method: Occupational therapists developed collaborative social goals and implemented a social skills group intervention with eight school-aged children presenting with parent-reported social skill delays. In addition, occupational therapists provided parent training to support onsite interventions. Pretest and posttest data was collected and analyzed.
Results: The results of this pilot study indicate that 8/8 children demonstrated progress in social skills on outcome measures including the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Goal Attainment Scaling.
Conclusion: This pilot study supports the premise that occupational therapy-led social skills intervention groups, combined with parent training, are effective in promoting social skills. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants have a clear role in designing and implementing group interventions to support social skill development.
Recommended Citation
Eckberg Zylstra, S., Swinth, Y. L., Sidhu, A., & Anderson, J. (2024). Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy-Led Social Skills Group Using Parent Training: A Pilot Study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2225
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.