Group Plan
It is time to get ready for bed, but you want to stay up and play games. What is the group plan?
Getting ready for bed
You go out for ice cream and they don't have your favorite flavor. You say "that's okay" and pick a different flavor. Is this flexible or stuck thinking?
Flexible
How can you show that you are listening with your eyes?
Eye contact, turn towards the person speaking
You start screen sharing, changing your background and typing in the chat box on Zoom when you are supposed to be listening to directions. Is this expected or unexpected?
You break your pencil and feel frustrated. Is this a big or little problem?
Little problem
When someone is not following the group plan, how does that make other people in the group feel?
Sad, frustrated, angry, confused
You lose a board game to a sibling and are feeling mad. What would a flexible thinking strategy be?
Remember it is just a game, say good game, remember everyone wins and loses sometimes
How can you show that you are listening with your body?
Turn to face the person speaking, keep your body still while they are talking
What is an example of an expected behavior when you are in school or on a Zoom call for school?
Sit still, listen with your whole body to directions, use a sensory strategy to support focus
You see a swing or toy you are really excited to play with at the therapy gym. How do you think with your eyes?
Look and ask if you can play with the equipment before using or touching it
It is time to sit and listen to directions at school. When you follow the group plan by sitting and listening, how does that make your teacher and friends feel?
Happy, proud, content
You only want to play your favorite game and become upset when your friend suggests a different idea. Is this flexible or stuck thinking?
Stuck thinking
How can you show that you are listening with your arms and legs?
Stop moving arms and legs, keep a quiet body
You are feeling frustrated while playing a game with a sibling. What is an expected behavior?
Take a break, take a deep breath, use your words to explain your frustration, remember it is just a game (little deal)
Someone is telling you a story about something you are not very interested in. What would be an unexpected behavior?
You are helping your parent make dinner and set the table, but become distracted by watching a favorite TV show. What is your plan and what is the group plan? How can you change your plan?
Your plan: watch TV
Group plan: make dinner
Change your plan: help with dinner now, watch TV at an expected time
Remember things like this is a little problem, you can have your favorite meal another time, sometimes plans change, we can't always have our favorite things
How can you show that you are listening with your brain?
Think about what the person is saying, ask questions if you need to
You are feeling silly and wiggly during online learning. What behavior would be unexpected in this situation?
Running around the room, not paying attention, doing something else, disrupting others
Someone is telling you a story about something you are not very interested in. What would be an expected behavior?
Make eye contact, turn your body towards them, ask questions about what they are talking about, wait for your turn to talk about something else
You and some friends are working together on a project at school. You see your favorite game across the room and want to do that instead. What can you do to follow the group plan?
Help your friends finish the project. If there is time after, you can play your favorite game then
You are disappointed that quarantine has changed your summer plans and you don't get to see your friends as much. How can you use flexible thinking in this situation?
Video chat or call your friends, try to see them in a safe way (maybe outside), think about things you are thankful for, remember that this is temporary and it will pass
You are explaining a game to your friend and they are looking at something else and moving their body around the room. How does this make you feel? How could they show they are listening with their whole bodies?
Frustrated, sad, angry
Turn and look at you, have a quiet body, stop moving
You are feeling silly and wiggly during online learning. What behavior would be expected in this situation?
Use a strategy to help you stay calm and focused (crunchy snack, deep breath, fidget toy), ask to take a short break and come back (quick walk, drink of water)
You notice that someone at school is sitting alone and feeling sad. What can you do to make a group plan to help them feel included?
Ask if they want to join your activity or sit with you, create a new group plan that includes them, make room at your table for them to join