Discussion Post #3 Social Accommodation vs Social Assimilation

When selecting intervention strategies for an individual diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), understanding the importance of social accommodation and social assimilation and how they relate to each other is crucial. Pertaining to social skill instruction, social accommodation works to promote positive social interactions by making adjustments in both physical and social environments. Changes in children are focused on through social assimilation . Success in social situations is taught through skill development. Working in a joint relationship (Cummings-Clay, 2022), it is important to know the difference between accommodation and assimilation. An individual’s performance socially is strengthened through social accommodation while social assimilation focuses on the involvement of acquiring the proper skills for success. There are many strategies that may be implemented for promoting skill acquisition through social assimilation. These strategies include focusing on 1. thoughts, feelings and interests , 2. social stories , 3. role playing/behavioral rehearsal , 4. reciprocal intervention strategies , 5. video modeling , 6. self-monitoring , 7. social problem solving and social rules , 8. relaxation techniques/emotional regulation , 9. prompting strategies and 10. interaction/ conversation planning . These strategies are added to individuals programs in order to teach skills that the individual has not yet acquired or may be new. Implementing strategies that enhance performance through social accommodation is also crucial to an individual’s learning. The strategies used to enhance performance include 1. reinforcement/ contingency strategies , 2. gaming skills , 3. environmental modifications , 4. peer-mediated instruction , 5. increased social opportunities/live practice , 6. disability awareness / peer support strategies and 7. priming social behavior . Enhancement is developed through addressing the reason behind the lack of performance or by providing the