Stafford High School

145 Orcuttville Rd, Stafford Springs, CT 06076 | Phone (860) 684-4233 | Fax (860) 684-0424

When they reach adulthood, youth with disabilities need to be able to establish and maintain relationships, communicate with others effectively, and participate in a variety of work and community settings. Supporting students in developing social skills can help them to develop positive relationships and progress in school, and in the long term, can equip them for success in work and community life.

With the support of the social worker at Stafford High School, the young adults and students from both the Life Skills and the Transition Programs learn the necessary soft skills for job success such as communication skills, self-advocacy skills, interpersonal skills, decision making skills, and lifelong learning skills. Through group activities and modeling, the young adults practice active listening, cooperating with others, problem solving, and planning.

These activities help prepare the young adults and students to….

• Greet and approach people in ways appropriate to the setting.
• Focus attention on the person speaking, using eye contact and non-verbal body cues.
• Check your own understanding of conversations and the understanding of others.
• Recognize and express feelings appropriately.
• Support dialog by building on other comments.
• Keep conversation and comments to an appropriate length.
• Match voice volume to setting.
• Keep self-disclosure appropriate to the setting.
• Be able to identify risky social situations and have strategies for staying safe.
• Respond to supervisors and coworkers with courtesy.
• Be able to respond appropriately to criticism.
• Manage conflict by using problem solving and, when necessary, requesting assistance.
• Understand job requirements and know how to request work-related accommodations.
• Be on time.
• Stay on task and complete your work.
• Be open to redirection.
• Work as a team, understanding your own and others' roles in the group.