EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS
Find a moment.
Make room for a message.
Start with something the communicator wants to do. These activity ideas pair real choices with tap-and-talk boards and the library’s existing downloads.
Daily routines
Small moments at home can hold choices, opinions and requests for help.
6 activity ideas →
Play and create
Join a shared activity through suggestions, surprises, disagreement and imagination.
6 activity ideas →
School day
Make room for a student to ask, explain, plan and participate throughout the day.
6 activity ideas →
Feelings and comfort
Words for preferences, sensory comfort and a different plan belong beside activity choices.
6 activity ideas →
Friends and conversation
Conversation includes invitations, jokes, disagreement and repairing a misunderstanding.
6 activity ideas →
Out and about
Choose, notice and ask questions in community spaces and on trips.
6 activity ideas →
Food and home
Everyday projects give people real decisions to make and ideas to share.
6 activity ideas →
Teen life
Age-respectful messages for preferences, boundaries, community life and future plans.
6 activity ideas →All activity ideas
Snack time
Put two familiar snacks and a drink where both people can see them. Leave packages closed so opening them can become part of the conversation.
Try this activity →Getting dressed
Set out comfortable clothing options. Discuss the actual weather and plans rather than deciding the whole outfit in advance.
Try this activity →Washing hands
Open the board before going to the sink. Keep the screen away from water and give the communicator room to direct the routine.
Try this activity →Brushing teeth
Show the toothbrush and toothpaste. Make space for choices about preparation, help and comfort.
Try this activity →Packing my bag
Place the bag beside the things needed for the day. Compare what is ready with what still needs finding.
Try this activity →Rest time
Open this board while choosing a comfortable resting place. Offer choices about light, sound and nearby objects.
Try this activity →Bubbles
Keep the bubble bottle visible. Start with a small burst, then leave time for a comment or a new idea.
Try this activity →Building blocks
Spread a few blocks on a stable surface. Decide together whether to build something tall, wide or completely different.
Try this activity →Play dough
Offer play dough and a few tools. Let the person choose a real object or an imaginary creation.
Try this activity →Finger painting
Set out paper and washable paint with a way to clean hands nearby. Ask about colors and whether touching paint feels comfortable.
Try this activity →Puzzles
Choose a puzzle with an interesting picture. Keep pieces visible so finding, turning and trying them can become shared conversation.
Try this activity →Toy cars
Create a simple road from paper or blocks. Let the communicator decide where the cars go and what happens along the way.
Try this activity →Morning check-in
Have the board ready before discussing the day. Ask about the student’s own priorities as well as the class plan.
Try this activity →Asking in class
Open the board during a real lesson. Keep opportunities to ask for clarification available while others are speaking.
Try this activity →Partner work
Give each partner a real role and shared materials. Start by deciding what to make or solve together.
Try this activity →Reading together
Choose a book the person wants to explore. Pause at interesting moments without making every pause a question.
Try this activity →Weather watch
Look outside or use a current weather picture. Talk about what can actually be seen or felt today.
Try this activity →School lunch choices
Review the available lunch choices before the queue. Keep room for preferences, changes and requests for help.
Try this activity →Feelings
Offer the board during an ordinary conversation. Let the communicator describe their own feeling without assigning one from their expression.
Try this activity →Quiet space
Identify a few available spaces. Discuss what the person wants near them and whether they want company.
Try this activity →Too loud
Keep this board available where sound can become uncomfortable. Respond to the person’s message before continuing the activity.
Try this activity →Movement break
Offer safe movement choices that fit the space. Let the communicator choose whether to move or rest.
Try this activity →When plans change
Explain the real change plainly. Show what choices are still available and leave time for a reaction.
Try this activity →Body comfort
Make the board available during ordinary seating, clothing or room adjustments. Take comfort messages seriously.
Try this activity →Greetings
Use this board when meeting someone familiar. Let the person choose how, or whether, to greet them.
Try this activity →Joining play
Find an activity the person has shown interest in. Make space for an invitation and for a choice about how to join.
Try this activity →Taking turns
Choose a game where the turns are easy to see. Keep words for changing, stopping and helping available throughout.
Try this activity →Friendship invitations
Talk about a real activity and who might enjoy it. Let the person decide whether to invite someone or do something else.
Try this activity →Disagreeing kindly
Use the board while making a shared decision. Treat a different opinion as information rather than an incorrect response.
Try this activity →Fixing a misunderstanding
If a message is unclear, say what you understood and offer time to change or add to it.
Try this activity →Nature walk
Bring up the board before leaving. Notice real objects along the path and let the person decide what to stop and explore.
Try this activity →At the library
Look at the library’s actual choices together. Talk about browsing, asking for help and picking a place to read.
Try this activity →Playground
Choose a playground area that is accessible to the communicator. Ask about preferences before starting an activity.
Try this activity →Taking the school bus
Open the board before the trip and keep it within reach. Talk about the route, seating and anything the person notices.
Try this activity →Field trip
Review where the group is going and what choices are possible. Leave space for questions and concerns.
Try this activity →At the park
Look at the paths and activities together. Let the person help decide the route and pace.
Try this activity →Making a sandwich
Offer familiar ingredients and an accessible preparation space. Let the communicator direct choices and the order of making.
Try this activity →Pretend kitchen
Use toy food and dishes to open a pretend café. Let the person choose a role and what happens in the story.
Try this activity →Pet care
Discuss a pet’s ordinary routine with a responsible adult. Let the person help choose a safe role in the activity.
Try this activity →Cleanup together
Put a few items where their destinations are visible. Decide together what to keep out and what to put away.
Try this activity →Lunch box
Open the lunch box together and discuss what is inside. Give the person room to request help or suggest a change.
Try this activity →Birthday party
Talk about an actual or pretend celebration. Offer choices about activities, company and how much noise feels comfortable.
Try this activity →Hanging out
Talk about a real opportunity to spend time with friends. Let the teen choose the activity, people and amount of time.
Try this activity →Setting boundaries
Keep this board available during ordinary personal-space and activity decisions. Listen to the teen’s own limits.
Try this activity →Choosing a movie
Review a few actual movie options. Ask about the teen’s interests and whether they want a familiar or new choice.
Try this activity →Ordering food independently
Look at the actual menu before ordering. Give the teen control over their message and time to communicate directly.
Try this activity →Public transport
Discuss a real journey using current local route information. Keep room for questions and changes.
Try this activity →My future preferences
Choose one future topic the teen wants to discuss. Offer concrete options while keeping other ideas welcome.
Try this activity →Activities are optional supplements. Keep the person’s everyday communication system available and follow their interests, preferences and access needs.
Adding a downloaded page to TouchChat · Pictures and participation notes