Social Skill Needs

By: Carmen Willings
​teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated March 28, 2024
​Teaching social interaction skills to students with visual impairments is important for their success in various aspects of life, including home, friendships, and career readiness. Due to reduced vision, students may face challenges in observing and understanding social cues and nuances. Therefore, explicit instruction in appropriate social behaviors and communication is essential. Here are some key areas and strategies for teaching social interaction skills:

Knowledge of Self

Help students understand their strengths, weaknesses, and feelings related to their visual impairment. Foster self-awareness and confidence through activities that highlight their abilities and achievements.

Knowledge of Visual Impairment

Educate students about their visual impairment, its impact on their daily life, and strategies for managing challenges. Encourage open discussions and provide resources to help them advocate for their needs.

Knowledge of Others

Teach students about different perspectives, emotions, and behaviors of others. Foster empathy and understanding of diversity through activities and discussions about different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Interaction Skills

Provide direct instruction in social skills such as greeting others, joining a group, maintaining conversation, and taking turns. Use role-playing exercises, social stories, and video modeling to practice social interactions in various contexts.

Social Skills

Teach students appropriate behaviors and responses in social situations, including expressing emotions, showing empathy, and coping with challenges. Encourage positive social interactions through cooperative activities, team projects, and group discussions.

Leisure and Recreation Skills

Introduce students to leisure activities and hobbies that they can enjoy independently or with others. Foster a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment through participation in recreational activities tailored to their interests and abilities.

Self-Advocacy Skills

Empower students to advocate for themselves by teaching them how to communicate their needs, ask for help, and assert their rights. Provide opportunities for students to practice self-advocacy in real-life situations, such as requesting accommodations or addressing barriers to accessibility.
Collaboration with speech and language pathologists (SLPs) can further enhance social skill development by addressing specific communication goals and providing targeted instruction in areas such as expressing emotions, maintaining conversations, and working with others. 

ECC Instruction

Teaching Strategies
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development
Alternative Communication
Emergent Literacy
​Access Print
​Access Environmental Print
Pre-Braille 
Braille Code
​​Braille Formatting
​Braillewriter​​Slate & Stylus​​Tactile Graphics​Nemeth Code​Access Classes​Abacus ​Organize​​Study Skills​Time Management​​​​Listening Skills
Assistive Technology
Social Skills
Self Determination
Self Determination Skills
Sensory Efficiency
Sensory Input
​​​Sensory Areas & Rooms​​​Auditory ReadinessVisual Efficiency Skills​Optical Device Instruction​Tactual Efficiency​Tactile Readiness ​
Independent Living
Personal Care
Hygiene & GroomingPersonal HealthHousehold Skills
Shopping & Consumerism
  • Shopping
  • Grocery Stores
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Expiration Dates
Eating & Table MannersClothing IdentificationTelephone
  • Telephone Use
Food PreparationMoney & Budget
  • ​Money & Budget
  • Money Management
  • Receipts​
  • Payment Methods
  • Buying or Packing Lunch
  • Personal Belongings
  • Paying with Checks
  • Interpret a Warranty
  • School Fundraisers
  • Housing Decisions
  • Paying Bills
  • Vending Machine Purchase
Service Agencies
  • Service Agencies
​Safety
  • General Home Safety
  • Emergencies
  • Evacuations
  • Seeking Shelter
  • Accidents & First Aid
  • Internet Safety
  • Safety
  • Using Locks
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational
Job AwarenessMaintain Job
  • Address Employer Concerns
  • Maintain Employment
  • Following School Rules
  • Work Related Skills
  • Assuming Responsibilities