Social Narrative: Asking for Help at Work | Young Adult Work

This asking for help at work social narrative walks young adults through what to do when they are stuck on the job: noticing it, choosing when and who to ask, asking one clear question, and getting back to work.

Why I made this: On job sites, I see students stand still for ten minutes rather than ask a coworker one question. They are not being lazy. They are not sure if asking is allowed, or who to ask, or what to say. This narrative answers those three things in a calm, workplace voice.

What's included:

• Cover and teacher how-to page

• 6 short story sections on 3 narrative pages, each with a layout box for a photo of your own site

• Talk About It page with 7 discussion prompts

• Practice page with 4 situations: circle the calm next step and write what you would say

• My Plan page for the student's real workplace

• Teacher discussion key with suggested answers

How I use it: Read it before a placement where students work with less adult shadowing. Practice the four situations. Fill in My Plan with who to ask at the real site and one clear question starter. Pair with scripts if the student also needs ready-to-say lines.

How this is different from my related products: My Self-Advocacy Communication Cards are wallet cards. Soft Skills Scenario Cards are short what-would-you-do cards. Self-Advocacy Scripts for Work and College are ready-to-say lines. This is a full social narrative with story pages, discussion, and practice, and the situations are new.

Part of the Social Narratives series: young adult voice, story pages with visual layout boxes you can fill with photos from your own site, discussion prompts, practice situations, a My Plan page, and a teacher key.

Live siblings in this series (plain titles): First Day at a New Job; Riding the City Bus; When My Shift or Job Task Changes; Getting Feedback from My Boss; Taking Breaks at Work.

Who it is for: high school special education, transition programs for ages 18 to 21, job coaches, and work-based learning teams. Grades 9 to 12 and adult transition. Written for young adults, not preschool story voice.

What you download: one printable PDF, 9 pages, US Letter. Teacher discussion key included.

Real workplaces and sites vary. Cross out and write in the real names, places, and times from the student's site. Always follow the training and rules at the actual job, clinic, or building plan.

From the author of The Transition Map (Jeremy D. Gooch), available in paperback and Kindle.

Written by Jeremy D. Gooch, a teacher with 20+ years in education. All names, businesses, and places are made up.