SKILL DEFICITS

Students with skill deficits do not have the necessary skill levels to perform in a socially competent fashion. Examples of skill deficits include not knowing how to make friends, being unable to carry on a conversation, or having no idea how to join an onging peer group. Criteria for determining a skill deficit is that either the child does not know how to execute the skill or the child has never previously demonstrated the skill. Social skill deficits require a direct teaching approach.

PERFORMANCE DEFICITS

Students with a performance deficit have the skills in their repertoire, but does not perform it or does not so at acceptable levels. The causes of performance deficits are typically motivational problems or lack of opportunities to perform social skills. Performance deficits require an incentive-based, management program.