The purchase of the TASS manual includes access to the downloadable assessment tool for one user. If you would like to purchase additional downloads for multiple users please email TASS@tandf.co.uk. For more information on the TASS and the Talkabout series, as well as helpful videos and guidance developed by the authors, please visit https: //routledgelearning.com/TASS.
Talkabout Assessment of Social Skills (TASS) is an assessment tool using a software programme which allows education and healthcare professionals to input and analyse the assessment of social skills. It gathers information from key sources to provide a holistic view of a person's social communication and uses rating scales to enable quantitative analysis of intervention.
The TASS includes a rating of a person's social communication skills (nonverbal, verbal and assertiveness) but also assesses a person within a broader context of social skills including associated factors and quality of life indicators, and an assessment of self-awareness and self-esteem. The TASS is divided into five sections:
- Initial information: this section gathers information from significant others and includes reasons for referral, long-term goals, and an initial action plan
- Interview: a one-to-one interview to assess self-awareness and self-esteem
- Self-rating scale: an optional part of the assessment, dependent on age and ability, which asks the person to rate their own social communication and identify factors which are important to them
- TASS: an updated version of the original Talkabout Assessment Tool which includes sections on body language, the way we talk, conversational and assertiveness skills
- Summary: this final part provides summary charts of all sections and areas of high priority
The TASS software programme is supported by an accompanying manual, which includes an overview of the resource and guidelines for each section, in addition to worked examples and photocopiable versions of the digital forms. This complete assessment tool is a valuable resource for anyone working the area of social communication and is suitable for use by both individual practitioners and teams.
TASS should be run on Windows 10 with Java 11 or above installed. For best performance, use a 15+ inch display, a 1920 x 1080 or higher resolution and an I5 or above processor. The TASS software is not suitable for Macs.
Alex Kelly is the author of the Talkabout publications. She worked as a speech and language therapist (SLT) for 37 years, primarily in the area of social communication. She spent 23 years working in the NHS but now runs her own business and spends her time writing and lecturing around the UK and abroad.
Naomi Pearson is a speech and language therapist (SLT) with 24 years' experience working in both the NHS and independent sectors. Naomi is due to complete a PhD in 2024 investigating the effectiveness of the Talkabout programme. She is also the Managing Director of Speaking Space (Romsey) Ltd, based in Hampshire.
