Are They My Friend?

by Allison DePalma, MA, BCBA

Price: 250 points or $2.5 USD

Subjects: sel,socialAwareness,relationshipSkills,responsibleDecisionMaking,specialed,Special Autism

Grades: 0

Description: It is really important to feel accepted by others. Unfortunately, not everyone will accept us. Friendship is a choice, and while some people may choose us back, others may not feel the same, and that's okay! This activity aims to help individuals decipher whether the people in their social circle are choosing them back or not. This deck will provide... - An initial discussion on which behaviors communicate acceptance and rejection - An application tool that allows for the learner to specify people in their social circle and list out the qualities that make them feel chosen and / or rejected - A quick guide on what to do if you are choosing someone who is showing you signs of rejection All questions are fill-in-the-blank, although the therapist utilizing the cards can provide the learner with options for answers if open-ended questions are difficult. The concept of friendship being a choice has been taken from the PEERS curriculum. See below for citation: Laugeson, Elizabeth A, "PEERS for Young Adults", Social Skills Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Social Challenges, 2017