Sally and her mom continued coming up with ideas for topics Sally could talk about or what might come up while she is hanging out with Rita. Then, they role-played, with Sally’s mom playing Sally and Sally playing Rita. During this time, Sally’s mom modeled the target social behavior, which was asking questions about what Rita likes or finds interesting. After doing this a few times, they switched roles, and Sally played herself. They tried different variations of how the conversation could go, and before they knew it, Rita had arrived!
Now it’s your turn to practice preparing for a social coaching mission plan step. Use this Planning a Social Coaching Mission Step worksheet to pick a social skill to work on with your child and plan out how you both will practice this skill together.
Planning a Social Coaching Mission Step
- Step 1: Identify a skill (or skills) you want to work on
- Body Language
- Making eye contact
- Using appropriate facial expressions
- Conversation Skills
- Starting conversations
- Holding conversations
- Topics of conversation
- Friendship Skills
- Offering help or items
- Invitations
- Asking to join in
- Giving complements
- Expressing empathy
- Assertiveness Skills
- Asking for help
- Standing up for yourself
- Saying no
- Dealing with teasing or bullying
- Something else:
- Step 2: Pick a time and place to practice this skill:
- Step 3: Pick a reward for practicing the skill:
- Step 4: Role-play with your child at the location
- Step 5: Practice with a peer
- Step 6: Continue social coaching as appropriate
- Step 7: Provide the reward
- Step 8: Reflect on the interaction (What went well? What didn't? Did anything unexpected happen?):
If you want to turn social coaching into an additional mission plan, use the Mission Plan Planning Worksheet to write out the mission plan with your child!
Social coaching may be difficult for both you and your child. To keep your child motivated, try to set them up for success as much as you can! Make sure you are picking social situations that will not be too difficult for your child to get the hang of.