The Use of Online Social Skill Training (SST) Based on Comparison of Online and face-to-face (F2F) SST For Adults and Adolescentswith Developmental Disabilities (DD) or its Tendencies

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made it difficult to conduct face- to-face (F2F) Social Skill Training (SST) based on discussions among clients. Therefore, we decided to start online SST using Zoom.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify differences between online and F2F SST based on their practices, and to propose ways to use online SST in the future

Method: This questionnaire was answered by staff (9 people) who experienced both online and F2F SST. The questionnaire consisted of 5 sub-categories for a total of 23 items. The six-point scale results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The open-ended questionnaire was analyzed according to the “Steps for Coding and Theorization” (SCAT) method, developed for analyzing qualitative data.

Results: Analyses revealed that in online SST it was significantly harder to see the client’s facialexpression compared with F2F. From the qualitative analysis results, online SST had a distinctive conversation structure. Besides, online SST had the merit of acquiring communication skills such as joining conversation using chat, adjusting the participation environment by yourself and, creating sentences using computer.

Conclusion: Although it was difficult to see the client’s facial expressions on online SST,it is considered that online SSTs may be easier to participate in than
face-to-face SSTs because of the unique conversational structure in which staff choose the next speaker to continue or start the conversation, the use of chat,
and the ability for clients to participate in SSTs in an environment that suits them.