What is a social skills curriculum and when might it be indicated?

• A. A math program focused on number sense.
• B. A physical health curriculum.
• C. A career planning curriculum.
• D. A structured program teaching communication, cooperation, and appropriate peer interactions; indicated for students with social communication challenges.

Answer: (D)

A social skills curriculum is a structured set of lessons that teaches how to communicate clearly, cooperate with others, and navigate interactions with peers. It provides explicit instruction and guided practice in areas like taking turns, interpreting nonverbal cues, understanding others’ perspectives, and resolving conflicts, with opportunities to rehearse these skills and then apply them in real-life settings.

It is indicated for students who have challenges in social communication or peer interactions. This includes individuals on the autism spectrum or with pragmatic language disorders, social communication disorder, ADHD with social difficulties, social anxiety, or other conditions that make forming and maintaining friendships or participating in group activities harder. In schools, such curricula are used in small groups or individual sessions and can be integrated into general education or special education plans to support better classroom participation, collaboration, and social success.