Middle school students with serious emotional disturbances serve as social skills trainers and reinforcers for peers with SED

In two related studies middle school students with serious emotional disturbances (SED) served as student trainers to teach social interaction skills to peers with SED. Researchers in both studies taught middle school boys to use a formal social skills curriculum in order to teach more positive peer interactions. Study results indicate the desired effects of the peer-based social skills instruction, with some evidence of behavior maintenance and transfer. The findings point to beneficial effects for both peer trainers and student trainees.