Core Skills Analysis
Language Arts and Communication
Olivia attended a speech therapy appointment with Simone to work on communication skills. Through this activity, Olivia practiced developing skills related to expressing and sharing ideas, an important foundation for speaking and listening. The appointment gave Olivia an opportunity to engage in focused communication practice with Simone. Olivia’s participation supported continued growth in using communication effectively.
Social-Emotional Learning
Olivia took part in a one-to-one appointment with Simone focused on communication, bringing attention to how people connect and understand one another. Olivia had an opportunity to practice communicating with another person in a supportive learning setting. This work can help build awareness of communication as a way to participate in interactions and share meaning. The activity reflected Olivia’s engagement in practicing an important everyday skill.
Tips
Tips After the appointment, invite Olivia to choose a favorite topic and share a short story about it, then take turns asking and answering questions. Try a playful “message relay” in which Olivia gives clear directions for building a small block design or drawing, and compare the result with the original. Reading a picture-rich or dialogue-focused book together can also create natural opportunities to notice how characters communicate and discuss different ways to express an idea.
Book Recommendations
- The Conversation Train: A Visual Approach to Conversation for Children on the Autism Spectrum by Joel Shaul: A visual guide to conversation skills, with clear examples that can support discussion and practice.
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld: A picture book that explores listening, emotions, and the ways people can respond to one another.
Try This Next
- Conversation cards: Create prompts about favorite foods, hobbies, or stories; take turns answering and asking a follow-up question.
- Clear-directions challenge: Have Olivia explain how to draw a simple picture, then compare the listener’s drawing with the original.
- Communication reflection: Draw or write about one way Olivia shared an idea during the appointment.