Prompt Practice Worksheet

Use the prompts below from the Practice Prompt Cards to practice speaking. After each verbal attempt, write your response on the lines provided. If you feel anxious, remember to try a strategy from the Coping Strategies Cue Cards.

1. Prompt: “Say hi.” Your response: _________________________________
   
   
   

2. Prompt: “Name your favorite color.” Your response: __________________
   
   
   

3. Prompt: “Tell me the day of the week.” Your response: _______________
   
   
   

4. Prompt: “Ask how I am.” Your response: ____________________________
   
   
   

5. Prompt: “Say ‘good morning.’” Your response: _______________________
   
   
   

Reflection

1. Which prompt did you find most challenging? Why?

2. On a scale from 1 (very uncomfortable) to 5 (very comfortable), how did you feel overall?
   Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   
   

3. Which coping strategy did you use today?

4. Goal for next time (write one small step you’ll try next session):

Communication Choice Board

Use this board to point or gesture to communicate nonverbally. You can circle or point to your choice.

Additional Options:

• Gesture (thumbs up / thumbs down) ☐
• Use a coping strategy pausing to breathe ☐
• Ask for a break ☐

Feel free to point, circle, or nod to make your choice.

Emotion Thermometer Scale

Use this scale to indicate how anxious or calm you feel right now. Circle or color the level that matches your feelings.

5 🔴 Extremely Anxious
• Heart racing, sweaty, hard to think or speak


4 🟠 Very Anxious
• Feeling tense, mouth dry, wanting to avoid talking


3 🟡 Moderately Anxious
• Butterflies in stomach, some worry, can speak with effort


2 🟢 Slightly Anxious
• A bit nervous, but can talk and focus


1 🔵 Calm
• Relaxed, comfortable, ready to speak

My Current Level: _____ (circle one)

What am I noticing in my body or thoughts right now?

Coping Strategies I Can Use at This Level

• Deep breathing
• Grounding (5-4-3-2-1)
• Positive self-talk
• Take a short break

Which strategy will I try first? ________________________

Coping Strategies Cue Cards

Use these printable cards to guide you through two easy strategies when you feel anxious. Laminate and cut along the lines to create individual cue cards you can carry or display.

Card 1: Deep Breathing 🌬️

1. Find a comfortable seated position. Shoulders relaxed, hands on your lap.
2. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 1–2–3–4.
3. Hold your breath for 2 seconds.
4. Exhale gently through your mouth for a count of 1–2–3–4.
5. Repeat 4–5 times, focusing on the sound and feeling of your breath.

Try it now:

Card 2: Grounding Technique (5-4-3-2-1) 🌳

Use your five senses to bring your mind to the present moment:

• 5 – Name five things you can see around you.
• 4 – Touch four things and describe how they feel.
• 3 – Listen for three sounds you can hear.
• 2 – Identify two smells you can smell.
• 1 – Find one thing you can taste (or imagine a favorite taste).

Try it now:

Keep these cards handy. Choose one strategy and practice it whenever you notice anxiety rising or before you need to speak.

Practice Prompt Cards

Print, laminate, and cut along the lines. Shuffle the cards and use them to practice speaking. Read each prompt aloud and then respond.

Prompt: “Say hi.”

Prompt: “Name your favorite color.”

Prompt: “Tell me the day of the week.”

Prompt: “Ask how I am.”

Prompt: “Say ‘good morning.’”

Prompt: “Tell me one thing you like about school.”

Use these cards during the Supported Verbal Practice phase of your session. Provide immediate positive reinforcement for each response, and gradually fade prompts as the student gains confidence.

Progress Tracking Sheet

Date: _______________________

Session Prompts Tracking

Coping Strategy Use

Strategy used today: ______________________________



How helpful was it? Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5

Overall Comfort Level

Today, I felt: 1 2 3 4 5

Next Session Goal

I will try to:

Teacher Observations / Notes

Teacher Script: “My Voice Matters” Session

Total Time: 30 minutes

1. Introduction & Rapport-Building (5 minutes)

Teacher (smiling, calm tone):
“Hi, [Student Name]! I’m really happy we get to spend time together today. How are you feeling?”

(If the student doesn’t speak, gently guide them.)

Teacher:
“I know talking can feel hard sometimes. You can use this Communication Choice Board to show me how you feel or what you want to do.”

(Hold up the board and point to options.)
Teacher: “For example, if you’re ready to start, you can point to ✅ ‘Yes, I want to speak.’ If not yet, point to ‘No, not right now.’ Go ahead—take your time.”

(Wait patiently. Nod and smile at any nonverbal response.)
Teacher (praising):
“Great choice! Thank you for showing me.”

Teacher:
“Today, we’ll do a few things: check in on our feelings, try some breathing or grounding techniques, and practice small talking prompts. Does that sound okay?”

(Point to “I want to speak” or “Maybe” on the Choice Board.)
Teacher: “Perfect—let’s get started.”

2. Coping Strategies Introduction (10 minutes)

A. Identify Feelings
Teacher (showing the sheet):
“Here’s our Emotion Thermometer Scale. It helps us notice how anxious or calm we feel. Can you point to the number that matches how you feel right now?”

(Allow the student to circle or point at a number.)
Teacher (reflecting):
“Okay, you’re at a __. That’s helpful to know. Thank you!”

B. Introduce Two Strategies
Teacher (holding Card 1):
“This first card is Deep Breathing. I’ll model it, and then you can try.”

1. “Sit comfortably.”
2. “Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds... 1–2–3–4.”
3. “Hold for 2 seconds.”
4. “Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.”

(Demonstrate 2 rounds.)
Teacher: “Your turn—let’s do two breaths together.”

(Guide the student through their breaths.)
Teacher (encouraging):
“Nice job! How did that feel?”

Teacher (holding Card 2):
“This second card is the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique. I’ll guide you.”
• “Name five things you can see.”
• “Touch four things and notice how they feel.”
• “Listen for three sounds.”
• “Name two smells.”
• “Think of one taste you like.”

(Lead them through each sense, pausing.)
Teacher: “Well done. Which strategy felt most helpful: the breathing or the grounding?”

(Student uses Choice Board or points.)
Teacher (affirming):
“Thank you. We’ll keep that strategy ready when you feel nervous.”

3. Supported Verbal Practice (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“Now let’s practice some small talking prompts. I’ll use our Practice Prompt Cards. I’ll read it aloud, model the answer, and then invite you.”

Prompt 1
Teacher (reading):
“‘Say hi.’”
Teacher (modeling):
“Hi!”
Teacher (inviting):
“Your turn. You can whisper or speak—whatever feels okay.”

(Wait; point to Choice Board if needed.)
Teacher (praising):
“That was wonderful!”

Prompt 2
Teacher (reading):
“‘Name your favorite color.’”
Teacher (modeling):
“My favorite color is green.”
Teacher (inviting):
“Now you—what’s yours?”

(Support as needed, nodding.)
Teacher:
“Great choice!”

Prompt 3
Teacher (reading):
“‘Tell me the day of the week.’”
Teacher (modeling):
“Today is Tuesday.”
Teacher (inviting):
“Your turn.”

(Continue with 2–3 more prompts based on comfort, fading support if they’re doing well.)
Teacher (celebrating):
“I’m so proud of you for speaking today. You tried every prompt with courage!”

4. Reflection & Goal Setting (5 minutes)

Teacher:
“Let’s look at our Progress Tracking Sheet. We’ll mark which prompts you tried and how comfortable you felt.”

(Fill in the sheet together, asking: “On a scale of 1–5, how did you feel when you said ‘hi’?” etc.)
Teacher (celebrating):
“You did amazing work today. You spoke in front of me—and that’s a big step!”

Teacher:
“Let’s set a small goal. What’s one thing you might try before our next session? Maybe saying ‘good morning’ to a friend or in class?”

(Write the goal on a blank index card.)
Teacher (encouraging):
“Between now and then, remember your favorite coping strategy—use it whenever you feel nervous. I believe in you, and I can’t wait to see your progress next time!”

Teacher (closing warmly):
“Thank you for working with me today. You’re doing great!”

End of Session