Students in grades 6 through 12 working on self-advocacy and peer conversation, including autistic students with strong focused interests.

Is this about limiting special interests?

No. It is about sharing them in ways that bring other people in, and about saying what you prefer to talk about.

Yes. It plays free in the browser with no login. An account adds session data, goal scoring and assignment to a student.

Sharing the Topics I Love

Six scenarios for telling a peer about a favourite topic, inviting others in and saying when you'd rather talk about something else.

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Page 1 of 6

Your friends are talking about a show you don't watch. You'd like to talk about trains. What could you say?

This pass0 correct · 0 cued · 0 incorrect · 0/6

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Session summary (SOAP)

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Stays on this screen. Nothing is saved or sent.

Mark a card Correct, Correct with cue or Incorrect and the summary writes itself here.

How to run it

Read each scenario and let the student choose. Then ask about the student's own favourite topics and write a few openers that fit them, such as can I tell you something cool about. Role-play a conversation where you are interested, and another where you would like a turn with your own topic, so both sides get practised.

Cueing ladder

Start at the top. Add support one step at a time.

Step 1IndependentSet up the situation and wait for the student to respond on their own.Log as correct
Step 2Nonverbal cueUse a look, a gesture or a point to the visual cue card.Log as cued
Step 3Indirect promptAsk 'What could you say now?' or 'How do you think they feel?'Log as cued
Step 4ModelShow what to say or do, then run the moment again so the student can try it.Log as cued

Adjust it

Easier

Give a script or two choices of what to say, and practise with you before a peer.

Harder

Role-play with a new partner, or add a twist the student has not planned for.

Matching IEP goal

Given school and community scenarios, Student will state a need or a plan clearly to the right person in 4 of 5 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, given no more than an indirect prompt.

Send it home through the parent portal →

About this activity

Six scenarios about the topics a student loves: wanting to talk about trains while friends discuss a show, asking a friend whether they want the short or the long version about space, steering away from sports, finding others who like drawing, answering what do you like to talk about, and responding when a friend wants a break from dinosaurs. Deep interests are a strength and a great way to connect. This board practises saying what you want to talk about and inviting others in.

What to listen for

Notice whether the student picks the never mention it options, which may signal they have been told their interests are too much. Listen for whether they can ask a checking question and accept the answer either way. Watch also whether they can express their own preference, not only follow someone else's topic.

Carrying it home

Ask your teen to teach you something about a topic they love for five minutes, and ask real questions. Then share one of your own interests. Talk about where they could find people who share their interests, such as clubs, online groups or classes.

What's in this activity

Your friends are talking about a show you don't watch. You'd like to talk about trains. What could you say?
- Can I tell you something cool about trains when you're done?
- Start talking about trains over them.
- Stay quiet and never mention trains.
You love talking about space and want to tell a friend about it. What could you ask?
- Why aren't you more excited?
- Want the short version or the long version?
- Nothing. Stop and never bring it up again.
A classmate keeps talking about sports and you'd rather talk about something else. What could you say?
- That's boring.
- Walk away mid-sentence.
- I'm not really into sports. Want to talk about music?
You want to find someone else who likes drawing. What could you say in art club?
- Does anyone here like drawing comics? I'm really into it.
- Wait for someone to guess.
- Draw alone and say nothing.
A new friend asks what you like to talk about. What could you say?
- I don't know.
- I love talking about animals and video game design.
- Nothing really.
Your friend says they'd like a break from the topic of dinosaurs. What could you say?
- But dinosaurs are the best!
- Stop talking to them.
- Okay. What do you want to talk about?

Questions

Who is this for?: Students in grades 6 through 12 working on self-advocacy and peer conversation, including autistic students with strong focused interests.
Is this about limiting special interests?: No. It is about sharing them in ways that bring other people in, and about saying what you prefer to talk about.
Is it free?: Yes. It plays free in the browser with no login. An account adds session data, goal scoring and assignment to a student.

Use this board with your caseload

With a free account, every correct, cued and incorrect mark is saved to the student and scored against their IEP goal, with the data written up for you. Assign it as home practice through the parent portal.

Track progress free

Free for SLPs. No card, no trial clock.