Self-Talk
True or False: Everyone makes mistakes.
TRUE! No one is perfect.
What is self-advocacy?
Speaking up for yourself, asking for what you need, sharing your wants/needs/feelings
Name one coping skill that can help in a moment of feeling stressed/ upset
Deep breathing, listening to music, taking a break, going for a walk, fidgets, talking to someone, etc.
True or False: Two people can feel differently about the same situation.
TRUE! Our life experiences affect how we each view the world!
What is one thing that makes people different from each other?
Interests, communication, learning style, personality, sensory preferences
True of False: How I talk to myself affects my confidence
True of False: It's okay to sometimes ask for help, and sometimes decline help.
TRUE! Sometimes we need support, other things we want to try or can do on our own.
True or False: I should feel regulated and happy all the time.
FALSE! Everyone has tough moments and that is part of being a human!
Why can misunderstandings happen between people?
People communicate differently, people have different experiences, people think differently, people understand the world differently
Why can teamwork be helpful?
We all have different strengths, people help each other, different ideas improve the group
Someone says, "I'm bad at everything?". What could you say back?
- "Everybody has strengths", "One hard moment does not define you", "Everyone is learning"
You are feeling overwhelmed in a loud room. What is one way to advocate for yourself?
Take a break, move to a quiet space, tell someone you need support, etc.
What is a clue your body gives you when you are stressed?
Fast heartbeat, tight muscles, feeling hot, trouble focusing, wanting quiet, feeling shaky, etc.
A friend is very quiet during a group activity. What is one respectful thing to remember?
Quiet does not always mean upset, people participate differently, some people need more processing time, everyone socializes differently
A person communicates using AAC, gestures, or more processing time. Does that mean they have nothing to say?
NO!!! There are many valid ways to communicate!!
You need to take a break because you feel overwhelmed. Is that a failure? Why or why not?
NOT a failure! Taking breaks helps people regulate and take care of themselves.
Why is it important for people to ask for the supports that they need?
Supports help people succeed, everyone deserved access, different brain and bodies need different things, supports help people participate more comfortably
True of False: My coping strategies are "weird" if they look different from my friend's or staff's strategies.
FALSE! Everyone has different brains and bodies, so their coping skills are going to look different too!
Why is asking questions better than making assumptions about another person?
Assumptions can be wrong, asking helps understanding, people can explain their own experiences, communication helps avoid misunderstandings
What is one respectful way to respond when someone does something differently than you?
Stay curious, avoid judging, ask respectful questions, respect differences
What is something that your brain or personality does well? What is one of your unique strengths?
Free style (I'll be the judge of this one ;)).
Finish the sentence: "My needs matter because..."
Free style: I'll be the judge of this one!
A friend is feeling overwhelmed/ on edge. What is a respectful way to respond to them?
Give space if needed, ask how you can help, stay calm, offer support WITHOUT judgement, respect communication differences
What is one way you can respect communication styles that are different from your own?
Be patient, listen, accept AAC/ other ways of communicating, allow processing time, respect sensory needs
What are different ways that people learn?
Watching, listening, movement, practicing, visuals, repetition, hands-on learning