classroom - Social Skills Activities for Children with Autism

Inexpensive toy balances are terrific for teaching and practicing reciprocity in conversation and social interaction. If you have one on hand for your work with kids on the spectrum, I think you may end up using it frequently, as I have in my own work.

This illustrated tutorial shows you how to use the manipulate the balance and place 3×5 cards on the balance to demonstrate how to have a “balanced” conversation in which both people take and equal part. Children on the spectrum who many sometimes “monologue” can find this hands-on learning method engaging and valuable.

Picture showing the components of the activity: a toy balance scale and a pile of 3 x 5 cards.

Use 3 x 5 index cards as weights on one side or the other corresponding to each person's conversation turn.

"Conversation is like a balance. One person says something and the other person says something back."

"The other person says something back. It's balanced now."

This picture shows how the balance goes up and down as each 3 x 5 card is added to each side, corresponding to back and forth conversation turns.

Picture shows cards being placed on one side and the other as "balanced" conversation proceeds.

Picture shows what an unbalanced conversation looks like - by putting most of the cards on one side of the scale, as shown here.

"You can 'weigh' the different sides of the conversation."

"You can use the balance to practice balanced conversations with the child."

"You can use the balance to demonstrate balanced conversation between two children."

"You can use the balance to demonstrate balanced conversation between two puppets."

This picture shows all the cards weighing down one side of the balance, demonstrating a monologue instead of conversation.

In a similar manner, you can use the toy balance to demonstrate reciprocity in social interaction. You can use the balance to demonstrate such social skills essentials as taking turns, giving and receiving, and paying back favors. The following pictures demonstrate how to use the balance and what to say while you are teaching.

"The other way to use the balance is to demonstrate reciprocity in social interactions."

You say, "When people get along with other people, it's like a balance. You do something for a person, and then later that person does something for you."

"When people get along in a balanced way, both sides get what they want over time."

When demonstrating social interactions, you add cards to each side of the scale to show how people take turns getting what they want.

You can use a balance to demonstrate reciprocity in friendships, as shown in this picture.

You can use a balance to demonstrate reciprocity in families, as shown in picture.

You can use a balance to demonstrate reciprocity during holidays like Christmas, as shown in picture.

This image connects to a YouTube video in which a speech therapist demonstrates how to use the conversation balance.

Here is another free conversation social skills resource for teaching reciprocity, but with more than two people present:

Pie Chart Prompt for Proportional Talking

Your comments on these resources are most welcome, and often helpful. Click HERE to send an email.