Social Competence:
A complex set of sensing: thinking: doing strategies
Maintaining relationships and interacting socially are essential aspects of successful participation in almost all areas of occupational performance of childhood and adolescence. Social competence requires more than just social skills; it is a complex and interconnected set of sensory, cognitive and emotional skills which enable children to independently navigate their social world, to know how to act in different social situations, to interact with peers and adults, to form/maintain friendships, to understand the needs of others and to handle challenging social situations effectively.
Individuals who struggle with social competence are more likely to experience difficulties in forming lasting and supportive relationships and be at greater risk for bullying, peer/social rejection and loneliness. Poor social competence may also lead to the development of more detrimental outcomes, such as poor academic achievement, behavioural problems, anxiety, depression, and poorer outcomes in mental health & wellbeing as teens and adults.
Rather than viewing an individual’s social skills deficits in isolation, this workshop will assist participants to utilise their knowledge of the interaction of individual’s contextual, psychosocial, and performance factors to assess and treat social participation difficulties in a more occupation-centred manner.
Workshop Objectives
At the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Understand the various components that underpin social competence, including
- Learning how to regulate personal behaviour in accordance with societal expectations
- Acquisition of interpersonal knowledge and relationship skills
- Development of self-awareness and a positive self-identity
- Development of cultural competence
- Adoption of social values and
- Responsible planning and decision-making skills.
- Use an occupational performance framework to understand an individual’s social competence strengths and challenges
- Design strategic interventions that provide tools for children/teens to develop their social competence capabilities and enhance their participation across environments
This three day workshop is suitable for occupational therapists.
About the Presenter – Dr Chris Chapparo PhD, MA, DipOT
Dr Chapparo is widely recognised on an international level for her contributions to occupational therapy through teaching, research and community service activities. Dr Chapparo has co-authored the Occupational Performance Model (Australia). Dr Chapparo has interests in cognition, management of sensory/ motor problems in children and adults and occupational therapy theory.
Dr Chapparo is a founding member of Sensory Integration International and the Australian SI Faculty and she is a neurodevelopmental therapy instructor. Her research interests lie in the areas of children’s information processing and social participation.
Expressions of Interest for this workshop are now being sought. Please register your interest by contacting Zi Mei Events at info@zimei.com.au or (07) 3358 3689.