Choice of social skills training programmes -- Strategies for using social skills training programmes -- Behavioural approaches -- Cognitive approaches -- Distinguishing between public and private -- Developing language skills -- Coping with real life -- Need for practice -- Aims of the programme set out in this book -- National curriculum link -- How to start -- Needs analysis -- Social skills checklist -- Interviews -- Observations -- Sociograms -- The training programme -- Introduction: planning the sessions -- Session format -- Physical organization -- Communication with parents, carers and teachers -- Timing of each session -- Session 1: Listening and paying attention -- Session plan -- Homework sheet 1.1: good listening prompt sheet -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 1 -- Session 2: Listening and turn-taking -- Session plan -- Pictures for colouring activity -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 2 -- Session 3: Monitoring own body language and reading body language in others -- Session plan -- Facial expressions cards -- Object cards -- Homework sheet 3.1: how do they feel? -- Homework sheet 3.2: pictures of feelings -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 3 -- Session 4: Recognizing own and others' strengths -- Session plan -- Homework sheet 4.1: skills and strengths -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 4 -- Session 5: Learning to say no to unreasonable demands and to cope with peer pressure -- Session plan -- Homework sheet 5.1: do I have to do what they say? -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 5 -- Session 6: Recognizing and describing feelings -- Session plan -- Sample homework sheet -- Homework sheet 6.1: feelings -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 6 -- Session 7: Learning to control own feelings -- Public signs -- Public places -- Private places -- Session plan -- Private thought (what I think) and public thought (what I say) homework sheet 7.1: diary of public places -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 7 -- Session 8: Being confident to explain own views and to ask for support when needed -- Session plan -- Homework sheet 8.1: when other people needed or asked for help -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 8 -- Session 9: Recognizing and learning to resolve conflict -- Session plan -- Homework sheet 9.1: dealing with conflict -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 9 -- Session 10: Showing care and concern for others -- Session plan -- Homework sheet 10.1: Friendship circle -- Model letter to parents/carers at the end of session 10