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Language and Communication To make eye contact  This resource has been viewed by a moderator.

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Description:

To make eye contact with a communication partner

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Early years skill:not specified
Early years typical range:not specified
P-scales/Curriculum skill:English
P-scales/Curriculum level:P1ii
TAP skill:Social Interaction
TAP level:TAP6
Pre/Nat. Curriculum Area:not specified
Pre/Nat. Curiculum Standard:not specified
Section:Secondary (11-16yrs) info; Post School Education info; Adult info

Check that working on eye contact is appropriate for the individual you are working with. Making eye contact is not necessarily compatible with everyone's communication style.

Activity/strategy name and materials required How to do the activity Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Gain visual attention

Use something that the person may be visually attracted by, for example:

  • Flashing light;
  • Any favoured object;
  • Hair band with a visually interesting item e.g. Christmas bands.
  1. Work in an environment that has as little visual distraction as possible.
  2. Talk to the person and attract their attention by moving around the flashing light or other object.
  3. Once the person is looking at the item establish visual tracking (move it around a little so that they can follow it with their eyes).
  4. When visual tracking is established bring the item up towards your eyes so that the person is looking towards your eyes.
  5. If the person makes eye contact then give lots of verbal encouragement by saying "hello" smiling etc.

Remember that although the room needs to have little visual distraction the light needs to be sufficient to allow clear eye contact to be made e.g. a low light sensory room may not be so good for this activity.
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