Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Starting a conversation can be difficult for many children, teenagers and adults, particularly when they experience social communication difficulties.
Conversation initiation involves knowing how to approach another person, introduce a topic and create an opportunity for back-and-forth interaction.
These skills can be explicitly taught and practised using strategies such as open-ended questions, comments and familiar conversation starters.
How Can You Start a Conversation?
1. Ask an Open-Ended Question
Open-ended questions usually require more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer and can create opportunities for a conversation to continue.
For example:
- “What do you like doing in your spare time?”
- “What did you think about the movie?”
- “What are you looking forward to this week?”
Open-ended questions can show interest in the other person and encourage them to share more information.
Questions should still feel natural and appropriate to the situation rather than like an interview.
Making a comment about a shared activity or something happening around you can be an easy way to begin an interaction.
For example:
- “This game is quite tricky.”
- “It’s really busy here today.”
- “That was a great goal.”
- “There are a lot of people here today.”
The other person can then respond to the comment and help continue the conversation.
3. Practise Conversation Starters
Some people find it helpful to have a few familiar conversation starters ready to use.
Examples include:
- “What do you think about…?”
- “Are you interested in…?”
- “I wanted to ask you about…”
- “Have you seen…?”
With practice, these phrases may make it easier to begin conversations in different social situations.
How Can a Speech Pathologist Help With Conversation Skills?
A Speech Pathologist can assess social communication skills and identify areas where additional support may be helpful.
Depending on the person’s needs and goals, Speech Pathology may support skills such as:
- starting conversations
- maintaining a topic
- taking turns during conversations
- asking and answering questions
- recognising when another person wants to speak
- changing communication according to the situation
- repairing misunderstandings.
Speech Pathologists may use explicit teaching, role-play activities, video modelling and supported practice to help people develop communication strategies that are useful in everyday situations.
If you or your child would benefit from support with conversation or social communication skills, learn more about our Speech Pathology services or contact Innerlink Therapy on 02 8065 1197.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is starting a conversation difficult for some people? Starting a conversation involves several social communication skills, including approaching another person, choosing an appropriate topic, knowing what to say and responding to the other person.
Can conversation skills be taught? Yes. Conversation skills can be explicitly taught and practised using strategies such as modelling, role-play, visual supports and supported practice in everyday situations.
When should I speak with a Speech Pathologist? Consider seeking advice if social communication or conversation difficulties regularly affect friendships, school, work, community participation or everyday interactions.