The Impact of Technology on Assessing Social Skills

Abstract

The social skill of persons with disabilities has been found to influence employment, schooling, friendships, community involvement, and overall quality of life. However, the ability of researchers and practitioners to assess social skills has been limited by reliance upon paper and pencil recording procedures. The development of computer technology offers refinement and expansion of the ability to adequately assess social skills. In this paper, the impact of technology on assessing social skills in persons with disabilities is addressed in terms of describing the technology, implications of the technology, and the role of micro versus macro analysis.