Recent work in the field of child and adolescent social skills is synthesized in this volume with new and unpublished information. The first three chapters provide a foundation for conceptualizing and assessing child and adolescent social skills. Chapter 1, "The Nature and Value of Social Skills," provides a definition, examples, historical developments, outcomes, and theories and models of social skills. Chapter 2, "Developmental Issues in the Acquisition and Performance of Social Skills," focuses on developmental issues and processes, including the influences of gender, ethnocultural factors, and common childhood disabilities. Chapter 3, "Assessment of Social Skills: Best Practices and New Directions," reviews methods and assessment tools, and presents new developments in the field. This chapter is both a practical guide to assessment in the field and a critical survey of the state of the art. Chapters 4-6 focus on intervention. Chapter 4, "Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Social Skills Interventions," provides a basic framework and includes practical examples for educational and clinical practice. Chapter 5, "Social Skills Training as an Intervention for Specific Problems, Populations, and Settings," focuses on training issues. Chapter 6, "A Review of Selected Social Skills Training Programs," offers a comprehensive overview of several widely available commercially packaged social skills training programs. (EMK)