SOCIAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT - A COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF 6 PUBLISHED RATING-SCALES

A comparative and integrative review was conducted of six published ra ting scales commonly used to assess the social skills of preschool and school-aged children. Four norm-referenced instruments are reviewed: School Social Behavior Scales (SSBS; Merrell, 1993), Social Skills Rat ing System (SSRS; Gresham & Elliott, 1990), Waksman Social Skills Rati ng Scale (WSSRS; Waksman, 1985), and Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment (WMS; Walker & McConnell, 1988). The School Social Skills Rating Scale (S-3; Brown, Black, & Downs, 1984) a nd Social Behavior Assessment Inventory (SBAI; Stephens & Arnold, 1992 ) are included as criterion-referenced rating scales. Content and use, standardization sample and norms, scores and interpretation, and psyc hometric properties were reviewed, We concluded that the most comprehe nsive instrument is the SSRS because of its multi-source approach and intervention linkage. The SSBS and the WMS are useful tools for a more limited school scope. The remaining norm-referenced scale, WSSRS, is not recommended. Following initial screening, the S-3 and SBAI are use ful for a more specific examination of particular behaviors to target for change.