Abstract
In order to induce the long term (one year) maintenance effect of social skills training (SST), the present training involved the following four componets: (1) coaching in a training room setting to facilitate social skills knowledge; (2) coaching in natural free play settings to promote social skills performance; (3) setting up the structured play activity;and (4) peer participation in training. Three socially withdrawn preschool children participated in the training. SST comprised 15 sessions focusing on three target skills (cooperative play behavior, positive social initiations, positive responses to peers). After the training, all subjects improved their social initiations and positive responses to peers, and cooparative behaviors and their socially isolated behaviors decreased dramatically. A one year follow-up assessment demonstrated that the two of the three subjects maintained these gains. The positive results for these two subjects were also suported by their teachers' ratings on the children's social behaviors.
