Conversation skills are key for having good social skills, but it can be tough for some especially those with autism. Use an activity that walks ASD pupils through topics that are and aren't appropriate for various audiences as they fill...

Conduct a classroom conversation about communication using this resource as a jumping-off point. For this The Learning Network activity, learners read an excerpt from The New York Times opinion piece, "The Flight From Conversation," and...

Finding common ground and building conversation can often prove a difficult task for many. Help learners build this important social skill using this resource, which includes a Venn diagram learning exercise and sentence prompts to help...

Build social and conversation skills with a fun game! Special needs and children with autism can play this game to practice asking friendly questions and giving appropriate responses. After playing, have them ask one person a friendly...

Sometimes beginning a conversation isn't the hard part—it's ending the conversation that can be challenging. Autistic and mainstream learners alike can benefit from a resource that provides a reference handout with ways to end a...

What words are appropriate to begin a conversation with another person? Use an activity that helps class members decide appropriate ways to approach individuals with conversation.

Keep the conversation going with a social skills activity. Designed for learners with autism, the lesson guides peers through the back-and-forth of a conversation, encouraging them to wait their turn before responding.

Ever spoken with someone who monopolized the conversation? Explain to learners the benefits of giving others a chance to speak and balancing a conversation with this set of worksheets. Pupils discuss the ways in which you can show...

Learners on the autism spectrum can have difficulty maintaining a two-way, reciprocal conversation. Support these students with the Conversation Box activity, in which they practice conversations with their peers using the prompts and...

After discussing positive and appropriate social communication, learners with emotional disturbances role-play a friendly conversation. You'll describe the desired behavior, modeling conversation techniques, and coaching as they have a...

What does active listening look like? Learners identify basic rules for listening carefully to others, such as maintaining eye contact and commenting appropriately, and then evaluate different examples of conversations on a worksheet to...

Get from the beginning of a conversation to a successful end with a communication activity. Learners practice staying on topic with a worksheet that prompts them to ask questions and make comments related to the subject of the conversation.

This communications PowerPoint informs students of proper conversation rules. In this PowerPoint, students read the rules for conducting a conversation. There are illustrations to go along with each rule.

Learners practice remaining on topic during a conversation using printouts of chains as visual models for their work. Chains are placed in sequence while students stay on a shared topic of conversation, and a broken chain is used as...

Learning to support your opinions, debate, build arguments, and effectively respect another's point of view are vital skills. Learners work through a series of topics to practice discussion engagement and verbal communication.

As learners build the "girders" of conversation by staying consistent on a particular topic, they avoid the "wrecking ball" of an off-topic comment. To help students develop this important conversation skill, this resource provides...

Help learners with special needs recognize the interests of their family members and build a foundation for conversation practice using worksheet activities and social prompts. 

Communicating clearly is one part of a successful conversation, but listening to others is just as important. Individuals with special needs plan calm responses and reactions to differing opinions with a collaborative activity.

Here is an effective way to have your charges practice and model important listening skills. After a short review of effective active listening concepts, such as using body language, summarizing what the other person said, and asking...

Help learners understand the importance and proper placement of non-verbal communication using these visual prompts. This set includes graphics to remind students to listen (ear), keep personal space (ruler), use the right facial...

Have you ever been so excited to talk that you interrupted another person? Help young conversationalists wait their turn to speak with a social skills activity. 

Pupils engage in a role-playing activity that focuses on conversation skills when using the telephone. They practice being one of two groups, callers and receivers, for the purpose of making plans with each other. There is a dialog page...

Some types of verbal communication are just more difficult that others. High schoolers engage in a series of activities that are designed to help teens make difficult conversations easier and more effective.

Discussing topics that other people are interested in is a key social skill that can often be overlooked. Here is a resource that supports learners in developing this life skill by first prompting them to consider a wide range...