Social well-being is an individual's ability to understand and express his own wishes and requirements. For many, the ability to set limits and have them accepted is elusive. Those unable to attain social well-being have difficulty expressing their feelings and reading the cues of interpersonal relations. The inability to do these things often stems from a lack of confidence and self-assurance.
Social competence training works with kids who exhibit a lack of social competence, teaching them the skills to cope with others. The training consists of learning appropriate behavior and social conditions, practicing conversation and direct contact, learning to give and receive constructive criticism and understanding abusive behavior.
These programs target children who are socially withdrawn, aggressive and suffer from learning disabilities. By working with at-risk children early in their developmental stage, social competence training can prevent later disturbances. Kids who undergo this process generally learn to live happy, normal lives.