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Four highly aggressive children who were inpatients in a psychiatric hospital were treated with social skills training. Treatment was applied to each child in multiple baseline fashion across behaviors. Results indicated that the treatment was highly effective for each child. However, generalization and maintenance patterns varied substantially across subjects. The results were discussed in regard to the idiosyncratic deficits and treatment needs typically found in clinical populations. The need for individualized treatment planning was highlighted, along with the role of the therapeutic relationship.

The effects of social-skills training consisting of instructions, feedback, behavior rehearsal, and modelling were examined in a multiple-baseline analysis in four unassertive children. The treatment was effective in that the behaviors selected for modification changed markedly. The effects of treatment generalized from trained to untrained items (interpersonal situations requiring assertive responding) and gains were maintained at the two-and four-week followup probe sessions. In addition, overall assertiveness in all subjects increased from baseline assessment to the conclusion of treatment and into followup.