Slide Deck
Navigating Social Cues
How do people 'talk' without using words?
Welcome students to our lesson! Today, we're going to explore how people communicate without using words. Display the title slide and engage students by asking if they've ever seen someone communicate something without speaking.
Our Goal Today
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify and understand when people are waving hello or goodbye.
- Recognize and respond to pointing gestures that tell you to 'look here!'
Explain the lesson's objective clearly. We will focus on two important nonverbal cues: waving and pointing. Ask students why they think understanding these unspoken messages might be helpful in their daily lives.
Social Cue #1: Waving 'Hello'
A raised hand moving from side to side.
What does it mean? "Hi!" or "I see you!" It's a friendly greeting when you meet someone or want to acknowledge them from a distance.
Show the 'Hello' visual cue card or a picture of someone waving hello. Discuss how waving hello is a friendly greeting. Ask students: 'When do you usually wave hello to someone?' or 'What does it feel like when someone waves hello to you?'
Social Cue #1: Waving 'Goodbye'
A raised hand moving from side to side as someone is leaving or you are saying farewell.
What does it mean? "Bye!" or "See you later!" It's a way to express farewell without needing to say words.
Show the 'Goodbye' visual cue card or a picture of someone waving goodbye. Explain that it's similar to a hello wave but signals leaving. Ask: 'When do you wave goodbye?' 'Is it polite to wave goodbye?'
Social Cue #2: Pointing
An extended finger directed towards an object, person, or direction.
What does it mean? "Look here!" "Pay attention to this!" or "That way!" It tells you where to focus your eyes or go.
Show the 'Pointing' visual cue card or a picture of someone pointing. Explain that pointing directs attention. Discuss that it can be used for many things, like showing something interesting or indicating a direction. Ask: 'When might someone point to you?' or 'What should you do when someone points?'
Let's Practice Our Detective Skills!
Look closely at the picture. What social cue do you see, and what do you think it means in this situation?
Present the first scenario from the Scenario Cards. Ask students to identify the social cue and discuss its meaning. Encourage them to explain why they think that's the correct interpretation. Prompt for different responses if applicable.
More Practice!
Here's another situation! Can you spot the social cue and tell us what message is being sent?
Present the second scenario from the Scenario Cards. Repeat the process, guiding students to analyze the cue and its context. Ask how they would respond in this situation.
Worksheet Time!
Time to show what you know!
Complete your Social Cues Worksheet by matching the social cue pictures to their meanings.
Explain that students will now apply what they've learned by completing the Social Cues Worksheet. Remind them to think carefully about each picture and match it to the correct meaning. Offer help as needed.
Fantastic Work, Social Detectives!
Today, we sharpened our skills in understanding:
- Waving (Hello & Goodbye)
- Pointing (Look Here!)
Keep practicing these important ways we communicate without words!
Review the two social cues learned. Ask students to share one new thing they learned or how they might use these skills. Emphasize that understanding social cues helps them connect better with others. End with a positive and encouraging message.
Script
Navigating Social Cues Script
Warm-Up: Greeting with Visuals (3 minutes)
(Teacher holds up the 'Hello' Visual Cue Card and waves.)
Teacher: "Hello everyone! Look, I'm waving hello! Can you wave hello back?"
(Teacher waves to each student, encouraging them to imitate. Provides gentle physical prompts if needed. Points to the 'Hello' visual.)
Teacher: "Waving is a way we say 'Hi' without words. It's a social cue!"
Introducing Social Cues: Waving and Pointing (7 minutes)
Waving (Hello/Goodbye)
(Teacher holds up the 'Waving' Visual Cue Card and demonstrates waving.)
Teacher: "This is waving! We use it to say hello, like we just did, or to say goodbye!"
(Teacher shows a Scenario Card of someone waving hello.)
Teacher: "Look at this picture. What are they doing? Are they waving hello or goodbye? (Pause for student response, prompt with visuals if needed). Yes! Hello!"
(Teacher shows a Scenario Card of someone waving goodbye.)
Teacher: "Now look at this one. They are leaving. What are they doing? (Pause). Yes, goodbye!"
Teacher: "Let's all practice waving hello! (Demonstrate, praise student attempts). Great waving! Now let's practice waving goodbye! (Demonstrate, praise student attempts). Fantastic!"
Pointing (Look Here)
(Teacher holds up the 'Pointing' Visual Cue Card and demonstrates pointing to an object.)
Teacher: "This is pointing! When I point like this (points to a specific object in the room), I'm telling you, 'Look here!' or 'This is important!'"
(Teacher shows a Scenario Card of someone pointing.)
Teacher: "See this person? They are pointing! What do you think they want us to do? (Pause, prompt with 'Look here' visual or gesture). Right! Look here!"
Teacher: "Let's try. I will point to something, and you look! (Points to a book). What did I point to? (Points to a window). What about now? (Praise students for looking in the correct direction)."
Guided Practice: Scenario Matching (5 minutes)
(Teacher distributes the Social Cues Worksheet.)
Teacher: "Time to work! We have our worksheet. We will match the social cue pictures to what they mean. See here, a waving hand. What does it mean? Hello or goodbye? Find the matching picture! (Guides students individually, uses pointing, offers visual choices)."
(Teacher provides individual support and positive reinforcement.)
Wrap-Up: Quick Review & Cool Down (5 minutes)
(Teacher holds up the 'Waving' Visual Cue Card and 'Pointing' Visual Cue Card again.)
Teacher: "What two social cues did we learn today? (Points to visuals). Yes, waving! And pointing!"
Teacher: "Can you show me a hello wave? (Praise). Good! Can you show me pointing? (Praise). Very good!"
(Teacher distributes a cool-down visual for students to choose their favorite social cue.)
Teacher: "Which one was your favorite? Waving or pointing? Point to your favorite!"
(Teacher waves goodbye to each student.)
Teacher: "Goodbye everyone! See you next time!"
(Encourage students to wave goodbye back.)
Worksheet
Social Cues Worksheet: Match the Meaning
Name: ________________________
Instructions: Look at each social cue. Draw a line from the social cue picture to the picture that shows what it means.
Social Cue 1: Waving
Picture of a hand waving hello.
Draw a line to ONE of these:
- Picture 1a: A person saying "Hello!" with a speech bubble.
- Picture 1b: A person saying "Goodbye!" with a speech bubble.
Social Cue 2: Pointing
Picture of a hand pointing at something.
Draw a line to ONE of these:
- Picture 2a: An eye looking at something with an arrow.
- Picture 2b: A person thinking "I don't know."
Social Cue 3: Waving (Goodbye)
Picture of a hand waving goodbye.
Draw a line to ONE of these:
- Picture 3a: A person saying "Hello!" with a speech bubble.
- Picture 3b: A person saying "Goodbye!" with a speech bubble.
Self-Check: Did you draw three lines? Good job!
Activity
Visual Cue Cards
Instructions: Print and cut out these cards. Laminate them for durability. Use them to introduce and reinforce social cues.
Card 1: Hello Wave
Image: A clear, simple illustration of a hand waving in a friendly manner.
Text: HELLO!
Card 2: Goodbye Wave
Image: A clear, simple illustration of a hand waving in a farewell manner.
Text: GOODBYE!
Card 3: Pointing (Look Here!)
Image: A clear, simple illustration of an index finger pointing directly forward.
Text: LOOK HERE!
Activity
Scenario Cards
Instructions: Print and cut out these cards. Laminate them for durability. Use them to practice identifying social cues in context.
Scenario 1: Meeting a Friend
Image: Two children facing each other, one with a hand clearly raised in a waving 'hello' gesture, smiling.
Question: What are they doing?
Visual Choices:
- Picture of 'Hello!' (from Visual Cue Cards)
- Picture of 'Goodbye!' (from Visual Cue Cards)
Scenario 2: Showing a Toy
Image: A child sitting on the floor, pointing to a toy car with an excited expression towards another child.
Question: What does the pointer mean?
Visual Choices:
- Picture of 'Look Here!' (from Visual Cue Cards)
- Picture of a child shaking their head 'no'.
Scenario 3: Leaving School
Image: A child walking away from a school building, looking back and waving 'goodbye' to someone off-frame.
Question: What are they doing?
Visual Choices:
- Picture of 'Hello!' (from Visual Cue Cards)
- Picture of 'Goodbye!' (from Visual Cue Cards)
Discussion
Visual Discussion Prompts: What Do We Do?
Instructions: Use these prompts to facilitate a visual discussion. Point to the main question and then to the visual choices. Encourage students to point to their answers or use their communication devices.
Prompt 1: Someone Waves Hello!
Image: A friendly person waving with a big smile.
Question: What can you do?
Visual Choices:
- Picture A: A person waving back 'hello!'
- Picture B: A person turning their back.
Prompt 2: Someone Points to a Book!
Image: A hand pointing to an open book.
Question: What should you do?
Visual Choices:
- Picture A: A person looking at the book.
- Picture B: A person looking away.
Prompt 3: Time to Go Home!
Image: A child with a backpack, ready to leave, looking at an adult.
Question: How can you say 'Goodbye' without words?
Visual Choices:
- Picture A: A hand waving 'goodbye!'
- Picture B: A person frowning.
Lesson Plan
Navigating Social Cues
Students will identify and respond to two common nonverbal social cues (e.g., waving for hello/goodbye, pointing for attention) using visual supports and guided practice.
Understanding social cues helps students with nonverbal autism better understand and interact with others, reducing frustration and improving communication in daily life.
Audience
Students with Nonverbal Autism (Tier 2 Small Group)
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Visual aids, direct instruction, and guided practice.
Materials
Small group setting, Visual cue cards (e.g., 'Hello' wave, 'Goodbye' wave, 'Look Here' point) - see Visual Cue Cards, Picture-based scenarios (e.g., someone waving, someone pointing) - see Scenario Cards, Whiteboard or large paper, Markers, and Social Cues Worksheet
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Greeting with Visuals
3 minutes
Step 2
Introducing Social Cues: Waving and Pointing
7 minutes
Step 3
Guided Practice: Scenario Matching
5 minutes
Step 4
Wrap-Up: Quick Review & Cool Down
5 minutes