Get to Know Me Slides Expanded Informative
Get to Know Me
A Professional Workshop on Social Connection
Inclusive of Spoken, AAC, Visual & Gestural Voices
Why Social Skills Matter
Community
Knowing people in your neighborhood and workplace builds safety, belonging, and connection.
Common Ground
Discovering shared interests is how acquaintances become meaningful professional friends.
Self-Advocacy
Strong social tools give you confidence to express your identity and meet new peers independently.
Every person brings unique value and interests to our group!
The "Social Snapshot" Introduction
1. The Greeting
Spoken: "Hello, I'm [Name]." | AAC / Visual: Select Greeting or Friendly Wave 👋
2. The Snapshot Detail
"I'm here today and I really enjoy [Favorite Hobby, Movie, or Music]."
3. The Bridge Question
"What brings you here today?" or point to "What About You?"
Use whichever communication tool fits you best: Voice, AAC, Board, or Gestures.
Whole-Body Listening & Connecting
Attention
Turn your body comfortably toward your partner so they know you are ready to connect.
Affirmation
Nod, smile, give a thumbs-up, or use an AAC reaction key like "Cool!" or "Me too!"
Wait Time
Give 10 to 15 seconds of patient silence while your partner composes their response.
Good listening means giving partners time to share in their own way!
Respectful Boundaries
Personal Space
Keep an arm's-length distance so everyone feels comfortable and respected.
Device Space
Never touch someone's AAC device, board, or wheelchair without permission.
Public Topics
Share movies, food, and hobbies. Keep money, medical details, and addresses private.
Equal Turns
Balance sharing and listening so both conversation partners have equal time.
The Art of Curiosity
Great Question Starters:
"What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"
"That sounds interesting—can you tell me more?"
"What is your favorite food or local place?"
The "Follow-Up" Rule:
When your partner answers, ask a second question or point to a related icon to show you were listening!
Partner: "I love watching sci-fi movies."
You: "Awesome! What movie should I watch next?"
Reading Social Signs
Signs that your partner is ready to end the chat or needs a break:
Pointing their body or chair toward the door or another activity.
Checking a watch, phone, or schedule board frequently.
Giving very brief responses or selecting "Need a Break" on their board.
Looking around the room rather than engaging with the topic.
When you notice these signs, it is time for a Graceful Exit!
The Graceful Exit
1
Wait for a natural pause in the conversation.
2
State a friendly reason for moving on.
3
Give a warm sign-off (spoken, AAC phrase, or wave).
Spoken Exit:
"It was great talking with you, [Name]! I'm going to check out the next activity now."
AAC / Board Exit:
Point to "Great Talking" + "Have a Nice Day" + Friendly Wave 👋
Phase 1: Build Your Profile
1. Core Interests
Choose your favorite shows, music, food, and hobbies. Write, draw, or select symbols that represent who you are.
These become your conversation starters!
2. Curiosity Questions
Select 1 or 2 questions you want to ask peers today. Program them into your AAC device or note them on your sheet.
Be ready to learn what others enjoy!
Take 10 minutes to complete your worksheet or prepare your communication device.
Phase 2: Partner Connect & Share
The Activity:
Pair up with peers to practice introductions, exchange interests, and ask your curiosity questions.
The Golden Rule:
Give every partner patient wait time to respond via voice, communication board, or device.
Connection Checklist:
- Introduce yourself clearly
- Share one personal interest
- Ask your curiosity question
- Use a graceful exit script or wave
Workshop Reflection
"What is one tool, script, or strategy you used today to connect with a peer?"
Real-World Community Mission:
This week, practice your Social Snapshot greeting or use your communication board with someone new at work, a community center, or neighborhood spot!
Thank you for sharing your unique voice today!
Get to Know Me Facilitator Guide
Get to Know Me Facilitator Guide
Adult Social Skills & Multimodal Communication Facilitation
Total Session 75 Minutes
Mission Briefing
This workshop fosters genuine social connection and self-advocacy among adults with IDD. It fully integrates both verbal communicators and clients who do not verbalize—empowering every participant to introduce themselves, share passions, ask peer questions, and exit chats with dignity.
Voice Modes: • Spoken Words • AAC Devices • Visual Boards
Core Learning Objectives
- Three-part Social Snapshot introduction.
- Whole-body listening & 10-second wait time.
- Curiosity questioning across modalities.
- Execution of graceful exit scripts or signs.
Session Toolkit: • 11-Slide Deck • Profile Worksheets • Social Communication Boards • Individual AAC Devices • Chime / Timer
Lesson Progression
1
Introductions & The Social Snapshot (15 Mins)
Slides 1–3
Review the value of social networking. Introduce the 3-part Snapshot (Greeting, Context, Bridge). Explicitly model both spoken introductions and non-verbal entries (AAC greeting button, communication board pointing, friendly wave). Conduct a short paired warm-up.
2
Listening, Boundaries & Curiosity (25 Mins)
Slides 4–8
Teach whole-body listening with an emphasis on generous wait time (10–15 seconds) for AAC message formulation. Discuss boundaries: personal space, device etiquette (never touching peer devices), public vs. private topics, reading exit cues, and graceful exits.
3
Partner Connect & Reflection (35 Mins)
Slides 9–11
Clients fill out their Profile Worksheets or set up their Communication Boards / AAC devices (10 mins). Then initiate Partner Connect & Share rounds (20 mins), rotating pairs every 4 minutes. Conclude with whole-group reflection (5 mins).
Get to Know Me • Facilitator Guide • Page 1 of 2 Inclusive Adult Education Standards
Non-Verbal Support & Professional Standards
Instructional Strategies for AAC, Gestural, and Multimodal Communicators
Aided Language Modeling
While speaking during instruction, point directly to the corresponding icons on the Social Communication Board or demonstration AAC device. Normalizing visual communication encourages all learners to view multiple modes as equally valid.
The 10-Second Wait Rule
Non-speaking adults often require 10–15 seconds to locate symbols, navigate folders, or construct a phrase on an AAC device. Explicitly coach verbal peers to hold comfortable, expectant silence rather than guessing or speaking over their partner.
Get to Know Me Communication Board
Social Communication Board
Get to Know Me • Multimodal Conversation Tool
Name:
How I Connect: AAC Device Pointing / Gestures Visual Board Please Give Me Time
1. Greetings & Hello Point to introduce yourself to your partner
Hello / Hi Friendly Wave
My Name Is... I am here today
Nice to Meet You Pleasure connecting
One Moment I'm finding my words
2. My Interests & Hobbies Point to topics you like to talk about
Movies & TV Shows & films
Music Songs & bands
Food & Dining Favorite meals
Video Games Gaming & apps
Arts & Crafts Drawing & making
Outdoors Parks & walks
Animals & Pets Dogs, cats & more
Work & Goals Jobs & skills
3. Curiosity Questions & Replies Ask your partner and share reactions
What About You? Your turn to share
Tell Me More I'm interested
Yes / Me Too! I agree / like that
That Is Cool! Awesome to hear
4. Graceful Exits & Breaks Point to wrap up your conversation respectfully
Great Talking Thank you for chatting
Heading Over Moving to next task
Need a Break Quiet time for me
Have a Nice Day! Friendly sign-off
Partners: Look, listen, and allow ample wait time for non-verbal selections.
Respectful Communication