Social Skills
True or False: It's good manners to greet people when they walk into the room.
True.
It is okay to talk with your mouth full of food?
No, it is not okay. It is gross and can make others uncomfortable.
If someone engages with you while your mouth is full, you can wait to response until after you swallow the food.
If you notice someone's mouth is full of food, you can wait to engage with them until they appear ready to respond.
True or false: When a therapist tells me "NO" or "STOP", I should ignore them.
FALSE. It is not expected to ignore your therapists. Follow your therapist's directions and ask for help if needed.
If you continue to engage in unexpected behaviors and ignore therapists' prompts to engage in expected behaviors, you are not earning.
True or false: I should clean up the table and area around me after I finish eating.
TRUE. You should always clean up after yourself (at home, school, CFA).
When you finish eating, throw out your trash, wipe off the table, sweep any food that fell on the floor, and wash your hands if needed!
You are walking and see a big puddle of water on the floor in the hallway. What should you do?
Tell a staff member right away so no one slips!
True or False: It is okay to give someone a nickname.
IT DEPENDS.
With close friends and people you know very well, it can be more socially acceptable to give them nicknames.
However, if someone express that they would prefer to be called something or that they do not like the nickname you've given them, it is not socially acceptable to continue calling them the name.
If your face or hands get dirty while you're eating, what should you do to keep clean?
Wipe/wash your mouth with a napkin.
Wipe your hands with a napkin or wash your hands with soap and water.
What makes someone a friend?
Liking similar things
Trust
Kindness
Respect
Model appropriate hand washing, including the appropriate amount of soap to use, duration of hand washing, and amount of paper towels to use.
2 pumps of soap and 3-4 paper towels is an acceptable amount, and it may be wasteful to use more. Hand washing should last at least 20 seconds!
True or false: It is okay to touch other peoples' belongings.
FALSE. It is not socially acceptable to touch other peoples' belongings without permission.
If you want to touch someone else's belongings, you can ask and wait until you're given permission.
True or False: It's OK to take other people's things.
False: You should always ask if you can use something that doesn't belong to you.
True or False: When I finish a task or activity, I can make all the noise I want.
FALSE. It is expected to respect everyone and wait quietly for everyone else to finish.
You can always offer to help your peers that are still working!
True or false: It is okay to ignore people you aren't friends with.
FALSE. It is not socially acceptable to ignore people you are not friends with.
You are not expected to be friends with everyone at the center, but it is expected that you show kindness and respect to your peers regardless!
Why is it important to wash your hands?
So that we don't spread germs and get people sick.
Why should you keep your hands and feet to yourself?
It is expected to maintain appropriate personal space between yourself and others. Invading others' personal space can make them feel uncomfortable.
It is safe and expected to keep your hands and feet to yourself!
If you do not like someone, it is okay to be rude to them?
FALSE, we're allowed to dislike people, but it is expected that we remain respectful and kind.
If the person is being mean or disrespectful to you, you can tell a therapist, and they will address the issue.
If someone has upset you, what should you do?
Try to keep myself calm, ask to take a break, and/or speak with a therapist!
True or false: If someone does something mean to me, I should do it back to them?
FALSE. Being mean back will only make the problem worse. Try to use your words and be a problem-solver. If you cannot resolve the conflict on your own, ask a therapist for help!
True or False: It is okay to burp loudly when I am around other people.
FALSE. Sometimes people burp - this is a normal human bodily function. If you burp, it is socially acceptable to say "excuse me" after.
It is NOT socially acceptable to intentionally burp and can make other people uncomfortable and/or grossed out.
True or false: I should stay with therapists/the group even when I know where we're going.
TRUE. It is important to remain with the group/with a therapist! Even if you know where we're going, it is very unsafe to separate from the group!
How do we show respect in the program room?
Follow directions, use kind words, treat our environment and materials correctly, and keep hands and feet to yourself.
True or false: When I use materials/equipment at the center, I put them back where I found them after I'm finished using them.
TRUE. It is expected that all materials and equipment be returned after you use them.
If we do not return materials/equipment or if we put them somewhere other than where I found them, they may get lost and we would no longer be able to use them.
What should you do if you need a break?
Ask a therapist if you can take a break!
Breaks are available when you're feeling angry, upset, anxious, or restless. Break options can include movement breaks, talking to a therapist, sitting quietly in a separate room, or getting a fidget tool. Breaks typically last 2-3 minutes, but you can ask for more time if you feel like you need it!
Breaks should not be used to get out of participating in activities or engaging with peers. Fidgets are a tool, not a toy, and should not be a distraction to yourself or others.
Is it important to exercise? What benefits does exercise provide?
Yes. Good health, happiness, assists with good sleep, helps with mood and emotional regulation.
What is one way that you deal with a person who is not saying kind things to you?
You can tell them to stop, let them know that what they are saying is mean, you can remind yourself that you do not have to listen or believe what they say.
Tell a therapist if you are having trouble dealing with the situation on your own!