What is one effective strategy for teaching social skills to students with disabilities?

Modeling appropriate behaviors is a highly effective strategy for teaching social skills to students with disabilities because it allows students to observe and imitate desired actions in real-time contexts. By demonstrating social interactions, educators can provide clear examples of how to greet someone, share, take turns, or resolve conflicts, making it easier for students to understand and replicate those behaviors.

Additionally, modeling can be complemented with guided practice, where students engage in social situations following the demonstrated actions, helping reinforce their learning. Students with disabilities benefit from visual and practical learning experiences, making modeling an invaluable approach.

In contrast, limiting interactions with peers can hinder social development, focusing exclusively on academic skills neglects essential life skills, and relying solely on verbal instructions may not meet the diverse learning needs of students who might benefit from visual or experiential learning opportunities.