The SPSS is a 57-item measure designed to assess strengths and weaknesses in higher order social skills in people with mild or moderate Intellectual Disabilities. This measure is useful in evaluating current functioning as well as identifying treatment goals. Parents/caretakers familiar with the individual rates each item. Four subscales comprise the SPSS: 1) appropriate social skills; 2) communication skills; 3) inappropriate assertion; and 4) sociopathic behavior. Sample items include: 'Has eye contact when speaking'; 'Puts self down'; 'Demonstrates concern for other's rights'; 'Tells people what he/she thinks they want to hear'; and 'Takes advantage of others.'

References:

Lowe, M. R. (1985). Psychometric evaluation of the Social Performance Survey Schedule: Reliability and validity of the positive behavior subscale. Behavior Modification, 9(2), 193-210.

Lowe, M. R., & Cautela, J. R. (1978). A self-report measure of social skill. Behavior Therapy, 9(4), 535-544.

Lowe, M. R., & D'Ilio, V. (1985). Factor analysis of the Social Performance Survey Schedule. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 7(1), 13-22

Matson, J. L., Helsel, W. J., Bellack, A. S., & Senatore, V. (1983). Development of a rating scale to assess social skill deficits in mentally retarded adults. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 4(4), 399-407.

Miller, L. S., & Funabiki, D. (1984). Predictive validity of the Social Performance Survey Schedule for component interpersonal behaviors. Behavioral Assessment, 6(1), 33-44.

Rojahn, J., & Warren, V. J. (1997). Emotion recognition as a function of social competence and depressed mood in individuals with intellectual disability. Journal of IntellectualDisability Research, 41(6), 469-475.