Social Competence of Students with Learning Disability: Advantages of Verbal Self-Instructional Package

Abstract

Objectives: Verbal self-instruction strategy is one of the useful techniques for treating individual with learning disability. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of Verbal Self-instructional Package on the social competence of students with learning disability. Methods: The study was done in a quasi-experimental research and pre-test, post-test design with control group. The population included all male students with learning disability who were studying in two learning disability centers of Hamedan City from 3rd grade to 5th grade. The participants included of 40 male students diagnosed with learning disability who were selected through convenience sampling method and were placed in control group and experimental group (20 students in each group). The verbal Self-instructional Package was held for 8 sessions in a month (2 sessions per week) for experimental group. To collect data, the pre-test and post-test scores of Social Competence Questionnaire were used. Results: The findings of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that Verbal Self-instructional Package significantly affects social competence and it’s components cognitive skills and abilities, behavioral skills, emotional competence and set of motivations and expectations in students with learning disability. Discussion: Using verbal self-instruction can enhance the social competence of students with learning disability, Thus it is recommended to use this adjusted package in schools and psychological clinics for these students.

Keywords

• Verbal self-instruction
• Learning disability
• Social competence