Application of a social skills training program in the modification of interpersonal deficits among retarded adults: a clinical replication.

Researchers ran a one-on-one social skills program for six adults with intellectual disability. They used Behavioral Skills Training: explain, model, practice, feedback. The team tracked three target skills for each adult with a multiple-baseline design.

Every adult improved on their chosen skills, like starting a chat or saying thanks. The gains spread to new people and places. One month later the skills were still there.

Spriggs et al. (2016) later showed the same BST package works for teens with ID in a school class. They added short video clips and still saw big, lasting gains.

Mellitz et al. (1983) copied the adult focus but swapped one-on-one sessions for a board-game format. The game still taught the skills and they generalized.

Grob et al. (2019) moved the idea to vocational settings. They found BST plus picture prompts taught job-related social skills to adults with autism, but each skill had to be trained on its own.

You can run this classic package today. Pick two or three real-life skills your adult client wants, like greeting coworkers or asking for help. Use the BST loop in each visit. Add practice in new spots or with new people so the skill travels. The 1980 data say one month of follow-up is enough to see if it sticks.