Gina Cernyar February 23, 2013 Social Skills Assignment Student Strengths and Instructional Needs MH is a friendly, fifteen

year-old student in the life skills program at Central High School. She enjoys socializing with others and will greet others by saying hello and/or goodbye. She also initiates conversation with others (specifically women) by complimenting them on their hair; however, the conversation does not last much longer than the compliment being followed by thank you. MH does well turn taking in conversations and listens to the person who is speaking to her, even if she appears not to be. She does well answering questions and taking turns in the conversation. She generally does not add much to the conversation unless she is asked a specific question. Although MH will independently greet others, she normally will not initiate a conversation unless she desires something, such as the iPod. She will start conversations if she is asking a question that pertains to her, such as what her schedule is that day or how she is performing in class; however, she usually does not start conversations in order to build a relationship with the other individual. Longitudinal Outcomes I would like MH to be able to initiate conversation with others in which she can learn more about the other person. For example, rather than asking, how are you, she could ask, what are you up to today. These types of conversations should allow each individual involved to take at least two turns in the conversation. I also want MH to be able to initiate these types of conversations because currently she is

only initiating conversations in which she is obtaining something, such as an item or information that directly affects her. One place I would like MH to use this skill is on her job site. She often interacts with the same people each Wednesday and Friday and does not say more than hello or goodbye to those individuals. It is important for MH to be able to initiate meaningful conversations with her co-workers because then she will be able to build relationships with them and have a more enjoyable experience at work. After about two to three years of this intervention, it is hoped that MH will be able to generalize this conversation skill in other areas than at work. MH would be able to use this skill in school as well with other individuals and friends she interacts with on a daily basis. Intervention MH will be informally instructed twice a week when taking public transit to her job site on Wednesdays and Fridays. She and the student teacher (Ms C) will discuss different things MH can say to her co-workers to initiate conversation. For example Ms C will say, People at work enjoy being able to talk to one another while they are working. They get to learn more about one another. What are some questions you can ask the other volunteers so you can get to know them? MH and Ms C will role-play in order for MH to get used to asking these conversation starters for her to gain knowledge of when she can use specific ones. MH will practice using the following conversation starters along with any others she and Ms C come up with together. Do you have any plans this weekend? (On Fridays, only)

What are you up to today? What is that [for]? (If the person is using something unfamiliar to MH) Have you been busy today? It is [insert weather-type] outside! Do you like it when its [insert weather type]. Example: It is cold outside! Do you like it when it snows?

MH and Ms C will also discuss follow up questions and statements MH can say depending on what the person says back to her. The following will be a conversation that will be role-played between MH and Ms C. MH: Do you have any plans this weekend? Ms C: Yes, I do; I am going skiing! MH: That sounds fun, have you ever been skiing before? Ms C: I only have once before! After MH and Ms C role-play conversations when in transit to the volunteer site, MH will then be able to practice using these conversation starters in the work place. Most to least verbal prompting will be used throughout the conversation as well, with fading throughout time. The follow data sheet will be used each day to record data on MHs conversation starting skills: Did MH initiate conversation with a coworker? What did MH say to her co-worker to initiate conversation? How many times was MH prompted by Ms C during conversation? Circle: YES NO

Tally: