A relationship play for giving and taking with peers in your child's own way. No social-skills score, no "correct" lines, no forced eye contact — words, pictures, AAC, gestures are all okay.
👥 Giving & taking in my own way · with family, teachers, or an SLP
“There's no right answer in conversation — it's relationship play of giving and taking while respecting each other's ways.”
A good conversation isn't talking a long time or making eye contact — it's respecting each other's ways and pauses.
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1There's no right answer in conversation
Conversation is giving and taking in each other's own ways — no "correct" lines, no social-skills score. A friend's way may be different from yours.
💜 Time alone isn't a problem. A conversation can take a break. Connecting in your own way is plenty.
2See my own conversation style
Pick how you connect with friends — it's observation, not judgment. Any way is okay.
in wordswith pictures · AACwith gesturesplaying side by sidesharing interestsbrieflyin writing
✏️ My own way of connecting
3Notice a friend's signals
This activity is —
not about guessing a friend's face or eyes right.
not about guessing a friend's feelings like a right answer either.
about looking together, during a conversation, at whether to keep going · switch · take a break · call for help.
💡 These signals are hints, not answers. Each friend may express things differently.
seems to want to talk moreseems to want a short breakseems to want a new topicmay not have heard wellmay need choicesmay want to be alonemay need an adult's helpI could ask again
✏️ Signals our child noticed
4Starting · keeping going · taking a break
🗨️ Below are examples you can choose from, not "correct" lines.Words, pictures, AAC, gestures are all okay.
🌱 Starting
"want to look together?""do you like this?"show a picture · cardinvite with a gesture
🔁 Keeping going
"tell me more""I think this""can you say that again?"show a shared interest
⏸️ Taking a break — anytime, OK
"I'll take a break""I want to be alone now""let's do it again later"press a break card · AAC
✏️ Words · ways that are easy for our child
5Express in words, pictures, or AAC
Conversation isn't only words. Interest, refusal, questions can be shared in many ways — all equal.
wordspicturesAAC · a devicegesturescardswriting
✏️ The way to express that's easy for our child
6Speak up when uncomfortable
It matters to be able to express when something is unwanted or hard — we don't make a child endure it. In the child's own way.
"no""stop""say it again""I want to be alone"ask an adult for help
✏️ What our child uses
👥 There's more than one way to connect with a friend — your own way is okay.
A good conversation isn't talking a long time or making eye contact — it's respecting each other's ways and pauses.
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Looking at these notes together with an SLP or professional makes it easier to widen relationships in your child's own way. Print it and bring it to your appointment.
👪 For caregivers & teachers
This is not social-skills training or a test. No social-skills score, no "correct" lines, no conversation pass/fail. It's relationship play and communication choices. A good conversation isn't talking a long time or making eye contact — it's respecting each other's ways and pauses.
We don't force eye contact or facial expressions. We don't make a child conform to a friend or "fix" their "odd words" — that can become masking.Time alone isn't a problem.
A friend's way may be different too. All communication (words, pictures, AAC, gestures) is equal. Connecting in the child's own way is plenty. If you're concerned, consult an SLP or professional.
📦 Extended peer-conversation material · inquire for consultation
We're preparing extended peer-conversation material (conversation-choice cards · situation sheets) for classrooms, clinics, homes, and pilots. If you need it, please get in touch — there's no price or purchase yet.
You may use and print this within one household. Redistribution, resale, sharing the original file, or uploading it for others is not permitted.
🏫 Classroom / institutional use
For school, clinic, or center use (multiple copies / sharing), please inquire — hello@talenest.org.
🔒 Educational observation & support tool
This material supports observation, understanding, and communication. It is not a diagnosis, treatment, medical advice, legal document, IEP, evaluation, or a substitute for professional consultation. Please consult a professional about any concerns.