Social skills instruction provides a proactive, positive methodology for increasing appropriate social behaviors and reducing inappropriate behaviors. This paper describes a decision-making model for comparing, choosing, and implementing social skills curricula that would be appropriate for specific students and settings. The decision model is structured around a systematic decision-making model that addresses three curriculum areas: (a) background, (b) assessment, and (c) instruction. The model also uses a cost-benefit analysis to assist in making modification decisions. The model has been developed to enable curriculum decision makers, teachers, and other users of social skills instructional materials (e.g., curriculum specialists, program coordinators, researchers, teacher trainers) to select a social skills curriculum that is appropriate for their specific needs and that utilizes empirically proven best practices. Flowcharts are used to direct the decision-making process.
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