Attention Request Social Story

Introduction

My name is Sam. Sometimes when I want to talk to my friends or the teacher, I feel excited or worried. It can be hard for me to wait quietly, and I might shout bad words or spit. When I do this, my friends feel upset or scared. I want to feel calm and have my friends listen to me in a good way.

Why We Use Respectful Requests

When I use polite and calm ways to get attention:

• My friends and teacher feel safe.
• They understand what I need.
• I can join games and conversations easily.

Steps for Asking for Attention

1. Stop and Breathe.
   I take three slow breaths to help me feel calm.
2. Use My Signal.
   I raise my hand, tap my desk softly, or use a quiet card.
   (Look at the Respectful Communication Visual Support for pictures.)
3. Make Eye Contact and Wait.
   I look at my friend or teacher and wait patiently. I stay silent until they notice me.
4. Speak Politely.
   When someone nods or calls on me, I say clearly:
   • “May I please join the game?”
   • “Can I have a turn?”
   • “I have a question, please.”

What Happens Next

• When I follow these steps, my friends and teacher smile and listen.
• I feel proud of myself because I used a respectful way to ask.
• I make more friends and have fun together.

Practice Makes Perfect

I can practice these steps:

• At home with my family.
• During class when I need help.
• In the cafeteria or playground with friends.

Every time I use a calm and polite request, I am showing respect and kindness. I can remember: Stop – Signal – Wait – Speak.

Respectful Communication Visual Support

Use this poster to guide you through asking for attention in a calm, respectful way.

1. Stop & Breathe 🛑
   • Take three deep breaths to help you feel calm.
   
   
   
2. Use a Quiet Signal ✋
   • Raise your hand high or tap your desk softly.
   
   
   
3. Make Eye Contact & Wait 👀
   • Look at your friend or teacher and stay silent until they notice you.
   
   
   
4. Speak Politely 💬
   • When called on, use calm words like:
   – “May I please join?”
   – “Can I have a turn?”
   – “I have a question, please.”

Respect Express Role-Play Scenario Cards

Use these cards to practice respectful ways to get attention. For each scenario:

1. Read the situation aloud.
2. Model the incorrect way (yelling profanity or spitting).
3. Practice the respectful steps: Stop – Signal – Wait – Speak.

Scenario 1: Joining a Recess Game
You see classmates playing basketball at recess and want to join.
• Incorrect: Yelling “Hey! Let me play now!”
• Correct: Stop, raise your hand, wait, and say: “May I please join the game?”

Scenario 2: Asking for Math Help
You’re stuck on a math problem and need the teacher’s help.
• Incorrect: Shouting profanity to get attention.
• Correct: Stop, raise your hand, wait, and say: “Excuse me, may I ask a question, please?”

Scenario 3: Borrowing Supplies
A classmate has an extra pencil you need.
• Incorrect: Spitting on the desk or yelling “Pencil!”
• Correct: Stop, tap your desk softly, wait, and say: “Can I borrow your pencil, please?”

Scenario 4: Joining a Group Discussion
Your classmates are talking about the book and you have a comment.
• Incorrect: Interrupting loudly with profanity.
• Correct: Stop, raise your hand, wait to be called on, and say: “I have a thought—may I share it?”

Scenario 5: Getting a Turn on the Computer
It’s your turn for the classroom computer but someone else is still using it.
• Incorrect: Yelling “Get off now!”
• Correct: Stop, raise your hand or tap gently, wait, and say: “I’m next—may I please have a turn?”

Scenario 6: Asking a Friend to Play
You want your friend to play a game with you at lunch.
• Incorrect: Spitting or using a mean word.
• Correct: Stop, make eye contact, wait, and say: “Would you like to play with me?”

Respect Express Token Reward Chart

Use this chart during your one-on-one session to track respectful attention-seeking behaviors.

How to Earn Tokens

• Earn 1 token each time you:

  1. Stop & Breathe
  2. Use a Quiet Signal (raise hand, tap desk)
  3. Make Eye Contact & Wait
  4. Speak Politely when called on

• Place a sticker or checkmark in a box each time you complete all four steps correctly.

Token Tracking Chart

Goal: Fill all boxes to earn your reward!

Reward Plan

• Total tokens needed: 10
• Student’s chosen reward:
  
  
  
  
  
  

Notes for Teacher:

• Remind the student of the steps before each role-play.
  
• Offer enthusiastic praise whenever a token is earned.
  
• After the chart is complete, celebrate and discuss how the new strategy felt.

Respect Express Data Collection Sheet

Student Information

Name: ____________________________________ Date: _______________ Session #: ________

I. Self-Monitoring Data

1. How many times did I use all four respectful steps correctly? (Stop & Breathe, Signal, Wait, Speak)

_________________________

2. How many times did I use yelling, profanity, or spitting instead of respectful steps?

_________________________

II. Reflection Questions

3. Which step was easiest for me? Why?

4. Which step was hardest for me? Why?

5. What will I do next time to remember to use my respectful steps?

III. Goal Setting

6. My goal for the next session: I will use my respectful steps _______ times when I need attention.

IV. Signatures

Student Signature: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Teacher Signature: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Respect Express Teacher Script

1. Warm-Up and Introduce Goals (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Hello! It’s great to see you. How are you feeling today?"

(allow student to respond)

Teacher: "Thanks for sharing. Today our goal is to practice respectful ways to get someone’s attention instead of using bad words or spitting. We’re going to use a social story, a visual guide, some role-play, and a token chart to help you. Let’s get started!"

2. Teach Alternative Strategies (15 minutes)

Teacher: "First, let’s read this Attention Request Social Story together. It shows four simple steps you can follow when you need someone’s attention. I’ll read a part, then you can read the next part. Ready?"

(Read together with enthusiasm.)

Teacher: "Great job. Why do you think it’s better to use polite requests instead of yelling or spitting?"

(allow student to respond)

Teacher: "Exactly. When we are calm and polite, people feel safe and understand us better. Now, let me show you our Respectful Communication Visual Support."

Teacher (pointing to poster): "Step 1: Stop & Breathe. Take three deep breaths. Step 2: Use a Quiet Signal like raising your hand or tapping your desk softly. Step 3: Make Eye Contact & Wait silently. Step 4: Speak Politely when someone calls on you."

Teacher: "Can you tell me what the first step is?"

(allow student to respond)

Teacher: "Yes—Stop & Breathe! And after that?"

(continue checking steps)

Teacher: "Fantastic. Let’s move on to practice."

3. Role-Play Practice (20 minutes)

Teacher: "We’ll use the Respect Express Role-Play Scenario Cards. I’ll read a scenario, show the wrong way, then you’ll practice the polite way. Ready?"

Scenario 1: Joining a Recess Game
Teacher (incorrect): "HEY! LET ME PLAY NOW!"

Teacher: "See how that feels? Now your turn. Stop, raise your hand, wait, and say: ‘May I please join the game?’"

(allow student to practice)

Teacher: "Awesome! You stopped, signaled, waited, and spoke politely—perfect."

Scenario 2: Asking for Math Help
Teacher (incorrect): "HEY! YOU! ANSWER ME NOW!"

Teacher: "Your turn: Stop, raise your hand, wait, and say: ‘Excuse me, may I ask a question, please?’"

(allow student to practice)

Teacher: "Great job using all four steps!"

Scenario 3: Borrowing Supplies
Teacher (incorrect): spits or yells "PENCIL!"

Teacher: "Now you try: Stop, tap your desk softly, wait, and say: ‘Can I borrow your pencil, please?’"

(allow student to practice)

Teacher: "Perfect—very respectful! Let’s do one more when we use tokens."

4. Token Reinforcement Activity (15 minutes)

Teacher: "Here is our Respect Express Token Reward Chart. Each time you stop, signal, wait, and speak politely, you earn one token. When you fill all ten boxes, you get your reward!"

Teacher: "Let’s try two quick scenarios. Ready? I’ll read the first."

(Select a scenario and coach the student through all four steps.)

Teacher: "You earned a token! Place a sticker in Slot 1. Great work! Let’s go to the next one."

(Repeat for a second scenario.)

Teacher: "You’re doing amazing—look how many tokens you’ve earned!"

5. Reflect and Collect Data (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Now let’s fill out the Respect Express Data Collection Sheet."

Teacher: "Question 1: How many times did you use all four steps correctly today?"

(allow student to write)

Teacher: "Question 2: How many times did you shout or spit instead of using the steps?"

(allow student to write)

Teacher: "Question 3: Which step was easiest for you? Why?"

(allow student to write)

Teacher: "Question 4: Which step was hardest? Why?"

(allow student to write)

Teacher: "Question 5: What will you do next time to remember your steps?"

(allow student to write)

Teacher: "Fantastic reflection! I’m proud of your hard work today. Let’s set a goal: How many respectful requests will you try to make before our next session?"

(allow student to state a goal)

Teacher: "Great goal! We’ll meet again in one week to check your progress. Keep your social story, visual support, and signal cards handy. You’re doing an excellent job—well done!"

Respect Express Rubric

Use this rubric to assess the student’s performance during the one‐hour individual session. Each criterion is scored on a 1–4 scale:

• 4 – Exemplary: Consistently and independently demonstrates target behavior with accuracy.
• 3 – Proficient: Usually demonstrates target behavior with minimal prompting; minor errors.
• 2 – Developing: Sometimes demonstrates behavior with moderate prompting; occasional errors.
• 1 – Beginning: Rarely demonstrates behavior; requires significant prompting; frequent errors.

Scoring: Add the four criterion scores for a total (range 4–16).
Set a goal for improvement based on areas needing growth.

Next Steps:
• Review areas scored 2 or 1 and plan targeted practice.
• Share rubric results with the student to set clear goals for the next session.
• Continue using Respectful Communication Visual Support and the token chart as reinforcement.

Respect Express Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes

1. Mood & Energy Check

• Circle how you feel right now:

😀 🙂 😐 😟 😢

• Circle your energy level:

High 🔥 / Medium ⚡ / Low 🌱

2. Quick Reflection

Think about the last time you needed someone’s attention.
What happened? How did you feel when you tried to get their attention?

3. Focus Step for Today

Review the four respectful steps on the Respectful Communication Visual Support:
Stop → Signal → Wait → Speak
Which step will you practice most today?

Teacher Prompt:
“Thanks for sharing! Today we’ll use your chosen step to help you get attention respectfully.”

Respect Express Cool-Down

Time: 5 minutes
Reflect on today’s session, solidify learning, and set a clear focus for next time.

1. Mood & Success Rating

How do you feel now that the session is over?

Mood: 😀 / 🙂 / 😐 / 😟 / 😢
Success (1 = not really → 5 = totally): 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐

2. Reflection

1. Which respectful step did you use most today? Why did it work well for you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What was the hardest part of using Stop → Signal → Wait → Speak? How did you handle it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Exit Ticket

Finish this sentence:
“I will remember to ________ when I need attention because ________.”

4. Next Steps

• Keep your Respectful Communication Visual Support nearby as a reminder.
• Bring your reflections and data sheet to our next session (Respect Express Data Collection Sheet).
• Share one goal with a friend or teacher for using respectful requests this week.

Great work today—your respectful communication steps are helping you succeed!