The importance of being socially skilled cannot be over-estimated. We all need these skills to communicate effectively to listen to others, to express ourselves, to be taken seriously and to make friends. We know that social competence contributes to quality of life and has been repeatedly demonstrated to be a critical variable in predicting success in future life. However, not all children develop social competence naturally. Some people struggle with their social skills and require intervention. Alex Kelly’s training will focus on:
- Assessing social skills… Where do we start?
- Teaching social skills… How do we teach it & which approach will work best? How can we help people to generalize the skills?
- Measuring effectiveness… How can we set targets & measure progress?
A bit about Alex Kelly
Alex is a speech and language therapist with over 30 years’ experience of working with people with social skills difficulties. She has written and published a number of best-selling resources to help develop social skills, self-esteem and friendship skills in children and adults. Her passion for this work started in the 1990s when she completed some research into social skills and found that if skills were taught in a hierarchical way, children were far more likely to succeed.
Alex now runs her own business in the UK offering training and consultancy in social skills, speech therapy and occupational therapy, and a day service for adults with autism. In 2019 Speaking Space Ltd was accredited by the National Autistic Society (NAS) with advanced status – something no other SLT company has ever achieved. She currently employs 18 staff but spends most of her time lecturing around the world.
Social Skills Training in 2021 by Alex Kelly
The importance of being socially skilled cannot be over-estimated. We all need these skills to communicate effectively to listen to others, to express ourselves, to be taken seriously and to make friends. We know that social competence contributes to quality of life and has been repeatedly demonstrated to be a critical variable in predicting success in future life. However, not all children develop social competence naturally. Some people struggle with their social skills and require intervention. Alex Kelly’s training will focus on:
- Assessing social skills… Where do we start?
- Teaching social skills… How do we teach it & which approach will work best? How can we help people to generalize the skills?
- Measuring effectiveness… How can we set targets & measure progress?
A bit about Alex Kelly
Alex is a speech and language therapist with over 30 years’ experience of working with people with social skills difficulties. She has written and published a number of best-selling resources to help develop social skills, self-esteem and friendship skills in children and adults. Her passion for this work started in the 1990s when she completed some research into social skills and found that if skills were taught in a hierarchical way, children were far more likely to succeed.
Alex now runs her own business in the UK offering training and consultancy in social skills, speech therapy and occupational therapy, and a day service for adults with autism. In 2019 Speaking Space Ltd was accredited by the National Autistic Society (NAS) with advanced status – something no other SLT company has ever achieved. She currently employs 18 staff but spends most of her time lecturing around the world.
The 2-day workshop
NB Due to Covid-19 Alex is offering 2-day training courses for small groups only.
Day 1 day focuses on assessment and reassessment:
- Assessing social skills & planning where to start
- The theory behind the hierarchy of skills
- Practical exercises in assessing social skills & planning intervention
- Setting targets & measuring effectiveness
Day 2 focuses on all aspects of intervention:
- Teaching social skills & the wider context: behaviour, environment, & motivation
- 1:1 therapeutic approaches: stories & comic strips
- Setting up & running social skills groups
- Creative arts approaches: modelling, role play & puppets
- Technology approaches: media & computer Apps
NB There is an optional Day 3 on developing self-esteem & relationships – please ask Alex for more information.
The 2021 dates
21 & 22 April or 5 & 6 May or 6 & 7 July
The cost
£350 *price includes handout, all refreshments, lunch, and a copy of Alex’s latest book ‘Social Skills: developing effective interpersonal communication’ (2019)
The venue
Speaking Space, Fleming House, Alma Road, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8ED England
Please ask Alex if you require advice re accommodation