Strategies of Asking For Help Chart

As featured on Ashasphere, this chart lists a variety of prompts children can use to receive assistance in therapy sessions, classroom or at home. It was created for children with language based and executive function deficits who present with significant trouble requesting assistance when needed. Place this chart in the child’s line of vision and prompt them to use relevant prompts to alert teachers, therapists or parents when they need help. For example, under the category, “if confused,” the chart advises saying, “I don’t know where to find the answer.”

Prior to using the chart pre-teach the child the strategies listed there, explain when to use each strategy (during what type of tasks/questions/situations), as well as why it is so important to ask for help. Depending on the severity of the child’s impairment, you may need to spend several sessions pre-teaching these concepts to optimize the child’s success.

Don’t limit use of the chart to language treatment sessions. What would be the point if the child only learns to ask for help during treatment, but is unable to do so when working on assignments in class or homework at home? Provide a copy to both teachers and parents to attach to the child’s desk in class and at home so the chart serves as a continuing visual reminder to ask help, along with strategies for how to do it