Social Skills Module to Build Conversations

Conversation skills are a critical part of interpersonal and social development and can be challenging to learn, particularly for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Teaching the basic components of a conversation and how to start and maintain one is a great step to help your child or student develop their conversation skills.

In the social skills module created by our Special Education Consultants, the suggested components of a conversation are outlined as follows:

1.  Greet your friend

2.  Start the conversation by sharing a comment or by asking a question

3.  Listen! Wait for your friend to respond and listen to what they say

4.  Respond to what your friend says with an answer or comment

5.  Keep the conversation going! Asking another question or sharing another comment to keep the conversation going.

These basic components are a great start to help your child understand the flow of conversations and how to engage with peers.

You may also want to teach your child or student some habits that could cause conversations to falter such as not responding to a question or comment, not listening to what your friend is saying, or talking over your friend. Check out this conversational skills module with the accompanying worksheets, activities, and mini-schedules and give it a try with your students or children!

The special education resources on this page were authored by Andee Morris, M.Ed.

Powerpoint Presentation:

Building a Conversation

Resource Materials:

Building a Conversation Activity Sheet – Conversation Skills

Building a Conversation Activity #2

Building a Conversation Mini Schedule

Building a Conversation Mini Schedule Template

Building a Conversation Homework

Building a Conversation Outline and Materials

Pre/Post Assessment

A pre and post lesson assessment is included in each lesson. Use of the assessment is an instructor preference.  Many of the ‘homework’ pages for a lesson can be used as a pre/post assessment device alone or as part of the provided assessment.  Each homework page can be checked by the instructor as well as the student.

Review all included pages of the lesson to determine what ‘assessment’ method will meet your needs.  If the student is able to achieve a + in the majority of items of the pre-assessment, or if the student has been observed to display the skill topic of the lesson often, then the lesson may not be introduced or can be taught with a group as review and/or reinforcement.

Building a Conversation Pre/Post Assessment

If you have questions or concerns about the Watson Institute’s use of this information, please contact us.