Core Skills Analysis
Social-Emotional Learning
During a support worker session, Olivia took part in a social catch-up with a friend. The activity gave Olivia an opportunity to practise connecting with another person in a supported setting and to take part in shared conversation. Through the interaction, Olivia engaged in a real-life social experience that could help build confidence and strengthen friendship skills. This also offered practice in noticing and responding to another person during a conversation.
Language Arts and Communication
Olivia participated in a conversation with a friend during the social catch-up. This gave Olivia a practical opportunity to use spoken communication to share ideas and respond within a social exchange. Taking part in a conversation also involved attending to what the other person said and contributing in a way that supported interaction. The activity connected everyday communication skills with an authentic friendship context.
Tips
Tips Build on the social catch-up by inviting Olivia to reflect afterward on what made the conversation enjoyable and to choose a topic or question for a future catch-up. Try a simple conversation-card game together, taking turns asking open-ended questions and listening to each answer. Olivia could also make a small illustrated plan for a friendly activity, such as choosing a shared game or place to meet, and discuss how to include both people’s preferences. Keep these activities relaxed and collaborative so they extend communication and friendship skills through meaningful practice.
Book Recommendations
- How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown: An illustrated guide that introduces friendship, kindness, listening, and ways to enjoy activities with others.
- The Social Skills Picture Book: Teaching Play, Emotion, and Communication to Children with Autism by Jed Baker: A practical visual resource with examples for understanding social situations and practising communication skills.
Try This Next
- Conversation-card prompt: write three friendly open-ended questions Olivia could choose from for a future catch-up.
- Reflection worksheet: draw or write one enjoyable moment from the catch-up and one idea for a shared activity next time.
- Listening practice: take turns retelling one thing the other person shared, then check together whether the meaning was understood.