Supporting Social Communication in the Early Years · Kerplunk Barbecue Buckaroo! Card Games Guess...

Education Authority, Autism Advisory and Intervention Service

Supporting Social Communication in the

Early Years


Social Communication Groups for the Early Years

Social Communication is the way in which we use language within social situations.

It is the ability to: -

1. Use language for a purpose e.g. to request, command, greet, demand or inform the

listener(s).

2. Adapt language to meet the needs of the situation or others e.g. speak louder when

there is a lot of noise, give more or less information as required, talk differently in a

classroom than in a playground etc.

3. Follow the ‘unspoken’ rules of conversation and storytelling e.g. taking turns when

talking, using gestures and body language, standing at an appropriate distance from

the speaker, using facial expressions and eye contact, staying on topic etc.

In a school setting practitioners use social communication groups to develop the social skills

of young children. The groups are designed to support the development of social interaction

and communication skills and to develop attention, listening and concentration skills. The

groups are structured, with an adult taking the lead in the fun and attention grabbing

activities.

Why should we work on social communication?

The majority of children learn to pick up social communication and interaction skills through

play with other children and adults. Children with ASD can have difficulties in this area, as

these skills do not come naturally and they need to be taught. Social communication groups

can aid in teaching these skills. These structured activity sessions support the development of

good sharing, turn-taking skills, waiting and choosing, co-operative play, coping with both

winning and losing and requesting help.

Who should be included?

In a school setting, after an initial one to one session with the lead adult,

the social communication groups comprise of the lead adult and two

children. However in a home situation one adult and one child can also be

beneficial in teaching social skills. After successful one to one sessions,

other siblings and adults can be included within the group.

Where should you carry out the social communication group?

Within the home setting, any room is appropriate to use. Ensure the area is quiet, free from

distractions and the TV, radio and all electronic devices are turned off. For young children it

may be beneficial to carry out the social communication activities at a small table and chairs.


How often should you carry out social communication groups?

Ideally social communication skills should be a focused time, carried out three to four times

a week.

Key Skills Worked On in Social Communication Groups


What you need?

You need to be well prepared and have everything to hand.

1. A mat or a small table & chairs.

2. A box of suitable activities, which include motivating and fun tasks. (Appendix 7)

3. A soft ball.

4. Select a suitable schedule (Appendices 1 - 3). It is very important that the child

operates the schedule as independently as possible.

For example removes the objects/pictures/photographs/symbols/word to place them

in the “All Done” container. This will help your child feel comfortable with what is

happening. Children like to be involved in the whole process and

seeing what will happen next.

5. Turn Taking Wheel and Super symbols (Appendices 4 and 5) and rewards/stickers etc.


How do you start?

Sit at a small table and chair or in a circle on a mat and introduce the schedule (see appendices 1 - 3). Remember lots of praise. 1. “Hello” Song Start with a fun “Hello” song. Introduce each participant by their name and lead the singing. For Example “Hello Mary how you……how are you today? Sing to the tune ‘Skip to the Lou’. As the group expands the child can then be asked to choose the next adult/child and so on. Remember after the activity: Your child posts the photograph/symbol in the “All done” container. 2. Roll the Ball Use a soft or partially inflated ball at first, later you may use balls with a ‘fun’ element like ‘giggle’ balls, ‘sensory’ balls with different lights/textures etc. Ask the child to say who they are rolling the ball to before they roll it. Remember after the activity: Your child posts the photograph/symbol in the “All done” container. 3. Activity Box Use games like ‘Connect4’, ‘Pop up pirates’, ‘Buckaroo’. There is no limit to what games can be included in the activity box. Speech and language, memory, picture match games, jigsaws etc. are also appropriate (see appendix 6 for ideas). The lead adult is always in charge i.e. for selecting the games, operating the turn taking wheel and ensuring everyone adheres to the rules. Gradually increase the number and length of the games. Once the session is well established introduce one new element to keep the child’s interest e.g. one day two games then the next day four games etc.

Remember an adult will usually tire of things much more quickly than a child. Don’t change too much too quickly, one thing at a time e.g. the game, the number of group participants etc. Remember after the activity: Your child posts the photograph/symbol in the “All done” container.


4. Goodbye Song This is an appropriate time to hand out stickers or rewards for participating and attempting social interaction/communication. It is good to finish on a positive note. It’s important that your child has a positive experience and feels good about the session. Finish with a Goodbye song. “This is the way we wave goodbye, wave goodbye, wave goodbye, This is the way we wave goodbye, wave goodbye to ……………” Sing to the tune of “Here we go round the Mulberry Bush”. Alternatively sing the same song as for the “Hello” song replacing hello with goodbye. Remember: Your child posts the photograph/symbol in the “All done” container. Teaching social skills within a smaller group are transferrable skills and should also be incorporated into everyday life………..remember that every opportunity in life is a teaching opportunity. Above all else, have FUN!!!


Appendix 1 – “What’s Next - All Done Schedule”

What’s Next? All Done

Attach velcro

Attach pocket

Velcro

Velcro


Appendix 2 – First/Then

First Then


Appendix 3- Symbols for the activities in the Social

Skills Group

Assess your child’s level of understanding for: - Objects – Photographs – Symbols – Written word


Appendix 4 - Turn-taking wheel


Appendix 5 - Super Symbols


Appendix 6 - Help card


Appendix 7 - Excuse me Excuse me

When I want to speak with someone and they may be busy or may be talking to another

person. I can say “Excuse me”.

Excuse me


Appendix 8 – Sample games/ideas for the Activity Box

Spin Top

Snakes & Ladders

Connect 4 Twister

Kerplunk

Barbecue

Buckaroo!

Card Games

Guess Who?

Hedbanz

Feed the Animals

Kim’s Game

Activity Box Ideas

Speech and Language activities

Following Instructions Games

Picture match

Play Dough

Threading and fine motor games

Memory Games

Sorting

Jigsaws

Books

Lego

Colour Match

Posting Activities


Appendix 9 - Useful Links

Attention Autism Ideas:

https://best-practice.middletownautism.com/approaches-of-intervention/attention-

autism/

https://www.facebook.com/ginadaviesautism/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPw7Ij3k2Zhe19Fb3CO-ag

Circle Time Activities:

https://famly.co/blog/inspiration/10-early-years-circle-time-games/

https://www.circle-time.co.uk/resources/circle-time-activities/

https://best-practice.middletownautism.com/approaches-of-intervention/attention-autism/

https://best-practice.middletownautism.com/approaches-of-intervention/attention-autism/

https://www.facebook.com/ginadaviesautism/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPw7Ij3k2Zhe19Fb3CO-ag

https://famly.co/blog/inspiration/10-early-years-circle-time-games/

https://www.circle-time.co.uk/resources/circle-time-activities/


Appendix 10- Social Stories

Social Story - Asking Politely

When I want something, sometimes I forget to ask nicely.

I say things like “Give me that!” and take what I want.

It is rude to act like this. People will not help me if I don’t ask nicely.

I can ask nicely and say “Excuse me, can you please give me that?” Then wait for the other

person to answer before I try to take something.

If the other person says “No, you cannot take that”, this is not a problem as I can have a turn

later. If the other person says “Yes, you can take that”, I will take it and say “Thank you”.

When I am polite and ask for things nicely, people will want to help me and I will be happy.


Social Story - Rules for Board Games

When I play board games with my friends or family there are rules that we all must follow.

We must only touch our own pieces.

Hands must be away from the board unless it is your turn.

We must wait for our turn.

Be a good player if you win, you can say “Good game, thank-you for playing”.


Be a good player if you do not win, you can say, “Good game, thank-you for playing”.

Have fun playing the board game with others!!!

Everyone will be happy if all of the players follow the board game rules!!!


Social Story - Winning and Losing

My name is ______________.

I go to ___________________ school.

I like to play games with my friends

Sometimes I am the winner. I feel happy.

Sometimes I am not the winner. It is my friend’s turn to win.


I might feel sad.

It is Okay. Maybe next time I will win.

I will say to my friend, ‘Good job on winning’.


Social Story – Taking Turns

My name is __________.

I go to __________________ Primary School.

I like to play at school.

I like to play with my friend.

When I play with my friend and we take turns.


I can be sad when I don’t get a turn but that is okay! I will be a big boy.

Maybe I will get a turn the next time.

_____________will be happy with me for being a good friend.

Good boy __________.

Supporting Social Communication in the Early Years · Kerplunk Barbecue Buckaroo! Card Games Guess...

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