Extension of a Social Skills Intervention Program for School-Age Children to the Head Start Population

Abstract

This article describes a manualized social skills intervention for children with peer relationship problems developed by Milich and colleagues (Milich et al., 1995, 2004). The program includes deficits-based components and problem-solving/anger-management components. This intervention is meant to be delivered in a group format over 8 sessions. It was designed for children ages 7 to 13 years and 2 treatment efficacy studies have been conducted with this age group (Antshel & Remer, 2003; Lefler et al., 2008). The program has also been adapted for use with younger children in a Head Start setting, but treatment outcome research with this age group has not yet been completed. This article addresses 3 issues. First, an introduction to social skills interventions is presented. Second, the Milich et al. social skills program is described. Third, our recommendations for adapting the Milich et al. intervention for younger children is detailed as well as our clinical experience in using the intervention in Head Start.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Allison Aosved, Monica Armendariz, Christina Colletti, Chuck Edgington, Jill Isenberg, Caleb Lack, Melissa Mignogna, Tamara Newcomb, Brandi Shaw, Benjamin Sigel, Maureen Sullivan, Christina Warner, and Cortney Wolfe-Christensen for their participation in the groups as therapists, assistants, or clinical supervisors. We also thank Erica Allen for assistance with manuscript preparation.