Social Emotional Learning and Intensive Intervention

Cover of SEL and Intensive Intervention Brief

Students who require intensive intervention often have social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that impact their ability to be successful in school as well as in their community. Getting along with others, paying attention, following directions, making responsible decisions, and managing emotions are challenges for many students who require intensive intervention, and may be linked to difficulties with executive functioning, communication, and academic learning. Schools are increasingly using social and emotional learning (SEL) to provide students with a well-rounded education; however, there is not often an explicit focus on students with intensive needs within these programs. This brief presents an overview of how SEL relates to intensive intervention and offers sample strategies for skill building among students in need of intensive learning, social, emotional, and behavioral supports.