Schizophrenia and social skills: an 'identify and train' approach.

As the majority of treatment for schizophrenia has become community based, a barrier faced by many clients as they attempt a higher quality of life is social integration. Social skill deficits are a pervasive developmental issue among this population, yet this has only been addressed peripherally as opposed to intensively in existing community rehabilitation programs. The authors outline the developmental social deficits resulting from the insidious nature of schizophrenia and propose a comprehensive treatment program that focuses on an "identify, train and support" approach. Transferring successful inpatient social skill training to the community is explored as a viable adjunct for existing community treatment.