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Extracurricular activities and the development of social skills in children with intellectual and specific learning disabilities
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Extracurricular activities and the development of social skills in children with intellectual and specific learning disabilities

B A Brooks, F Floyd, D L Robins and W Y Chan
Journal of intellectual disability research, v 59(7), pp 678-687
Jul 2015
PMID: 25400206

Abstract

Social Participation - psychology Humans Learning Disorders - psychology Female Intellectual Disability - psychology Male Child Development - physiology Social Skills Child
Children with intellectual disability and specific learning disabilities often lack age-appropriate social skills, which disrupts their social functioning. Because of the limited effectiveness of classroom mainstreaming and social skills training for these children, it is important to explore alternative opportunities for social skill acquisition. Participation in social activities is positively related to children's social adjustment, but little is known about the benefits of activity participation for children with intellectual and specific learning disabilities. This study investigated the association between frequency and type of social activity participation and the social competence of 8-11-year-old children with intellectual disability (n = 40) and specific learning disabilities (n = 53), in comparison with typically developing peers (n = 24). More time involved in unstructured activities, but not structured activities, was associated with higher levels of social competence for all children. This association was strongest for children with intellectual disability, suggesting that participation in unstructured social activities was most beneficial for these children. Future research on the quality of involvement is necessary to further understand specific aspects of unstructured activities that might facilitate social development.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Education, Special
Genetics & Heredity
Psychiatry
Rehabilitation
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