Definitions
Off topic means...
Comments or questions that have nothing to do with what everyone else is talking about.
What is 1 question we should ask ourselves before we join a conversation?
Does it look like a private moment?
Is this a topic I know anything about.
What is a prompt?
A reminder to do or not do something
Why should we stay on topic when we're having conversations?
It shows that we are listening and interested
On topic means...
Comments or questions related to what everyone else is talking about.
What is 1 question we should ask before joining a conversation.
Does it look like a private moment?
Is this a topic I know anything about?
Is a prompt a positive or a negative thing?
A positive or good thing!
If we change the topic during a conversation with family and friends, what might this make them think?
That we are not interested or listening to what they're saying.
What are the two reasons that we join in conversations with others?
1. We want to be included
2. We want to share experiences
If someone is having a private conversation, what is are the clues they might be giving?
1. Their heads are close together
2. They might be whispering
Why is a prompt a positive or good thing?
1. They remind us to do things we've forgotten
2. They help us stay focused on the task we need to complete
What are the clues that happen during a conversation that lets you know that it's a good time to change the subject?
When it gets quiet, there's a pause, or it seems like no one has anything else to say about the current topic.
What is the goal of joining a conversation?
To keep it going, not to stop it
If people are having a conversation and the topic is something you don't know about, what could you do rather than jumping in and changing the subject?
Ask yourself if this would be a good time to just listen and learn something new.
A prompt to stay on topic might sound like?
2. "That's a great comment/question, let's get back to that when we finish talking about...."
When is it appropriate to interrupt or stop a topic of conversation?
1. It's an emergency
2. If the topic is inappropriate
What is something that we could do that we prevent a conversation from continuing when we join it?
Making a comment or asking a question that is off topic.
What are the 3 steps for joining a conversation?
1.Walk up to the people having the conversation
2.Before you start talking, listen to the topic being discussed
3.When there is a pause, make a comment or ask a question about the topic
Is it ok to call someone out for being off topic outside of ABA sessions? Why do we do this during our ABA sessions?
2. Because we're practicing
What could you say if you accidentally change the subject during a conversation?
•You can make a comment like, “Oops, I got off topic. Can you finish what you were saying?”
•Or you could say, “Let me get back to what we were talking about”.