During this pandemic situation, your IEP services for your child might be interrupted or even non existent--including social skills. For many individuals with special needs, social skills groups (both at school and outside of school) are key to helping expand their repertoire of conversational tools. While some schools and outside groups are continuing social skills groups online, many are not, so I wanted to give you something to use to "work on" these skills a bit at home, until we can all get out there and socialize with one another again! Above is one list of "questions" you can use to help start conversations within your family and get your special needs kiddo involved in conversations. Also, there are many very interesting thought provoking questions contained in the book The Conversation Piece, by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie (over 300 questions to start conversations in my older copy of the book so it's a fabulous find!)--questions such as:
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
If you could use a time machine to go to any point in time (either backwards or forwards), how many years would you travel and to/what time, and why?
If you were only 1 inch tall for a day, what specific place would you most like to explore?
If you could meet and talk with any person, living or dead, who would it be?
(And ask "why?" after all of the above for even more in depth conversations!)
These are just a few of the questions that can start some interesting conversations at the dinner table--and open up your special needs child or teen to really beginning to think deeper about things, and express feelings and thoughts. Social skills abilities don't have to slip during this time we are all needing to spend inside, away from people right now--with lists like these, you can easily facilitate and keep the learning going--plus you might get some very interesting responses from your family as well!
Are you are feeling in need of someone to help your child or teen move forward on his/her academic path or with social skills help? Then turn to someone who "gets" what you're going through, because I myself am going through it too--with my own special needs teen (with ASD/ADD/ODD). I have over 20 years experience tutoring both typical and special needs individuals (preK through adulthood) and 4 years experience working as a behavioral therapist (and I also have a continuing ed certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis and now am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst). I can help you keep your child moving steadily forward on his/her learning path, while offering support to you whether you are doing online schooling again, or full-on homeschooling and need advice/homeschooling help. I offer a FREE 1hr consultation to talk with me about your situation and your child. Don't wait to get the help and support you need--SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE 1HR CONSULTATION TO FIND OUT MORE! www.TutorPaulaBCBA.com