Social Behavior and Skills in Children

Johnny L. Matson, Ph.D., Professor and Distinguished Research Master and Director of the Ph.D. program in clinical psychology in the Department of Psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He is the author of more than 450 publications, including 34 books. In addition, he is the editor-in-chief of two research journals, Research in Developmental Disabilities and Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. He has served as an expert for the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and is past president of the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Division of the American Psychological Association. His research and clinical interests are in autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities.

• History and Overview.- Theories of Social Competence from the Top-Down to the Bottom-Up: A Case for Considering Foundational Human Needs.- Etiology and Relationships to Developmental Disabilities and Psychopathology.- General Methods of Assessment.- General Methods of Treatment.- Challenging Behaviors.- Social Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders.- Intellectual Disability and Adaptive-Social Skills.- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.- Evidence-Based Methods of Dealing with Social Deficits in Conduct Disorder.- Anxiety Disorders and Phobias.- Major Depression.- Medical and Physical Impairments and Chronic Illness.

From the reviews: "Matson (Louisiana State Univ) provides a unique compilation of material addressing aspects of children's social skills and their connections with developmental and physical disabilities and with psychopathology. ... Although too challenging overall for undergraduates, this book could be a useful reference tool (with an instructor's guidance) for those unfamiliar with technical material or with methods of research evaluation such as meta-analysis. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals." (J. Mercer Richard, Choice, Vol. 47 (9), May, 2010)