two friends learning to knit and the word friends
three men with disabilities sitting on a couch together smiling

Friends are two people who enjoy being with each other.

They trust and like each other. 

They share and help each other.

Friendships improve our lives.

 

Yet some people do not find it easy to make friends.
Do you know how to pick a trusted friend? YES NO
Do you know how to ask questions to get to know someone? YES NO
Do you know the steps to build a friendship? YES NO
Do you know how to treat strangers and people you know just a little? YES NO
Do you know what to do if you have a fake friend or a bully? YES NO

If you answered yes to all of the questions, then keep up the good work.

If you had some no's or want to learn more, check out the FRIENDS page below.

two women with disabilities standing in front of a photo backdrop smiling

Who are your friends?

Who are your trusted friends? Who are your new friends?

Who are people that you talk to but are not your friends?

Think about who you trust. Think about who you enjoy.

Think about who in your life you don't know well enough to trust or enjoy yet.

 

Use this handout to practice the rules for the People in My Life. List their names in the right spots.

People in My Life

To make friends, we need:

  1. The chance to meet others, and
  2. To talk and do things to get to know them.

The more chances you have to meet others, the better the chance for a new friendship.

GAMES

Play these games to pick people who like the same things as you. Open the game and click on "Play Now". Then push "START".


online games icon

Just Like Me: Rose, Kaneisha, and Sammy

This game helps you get to know new people and what they like.

Just Like Me Game Click on this game to see if it is for you.
online games icon

Just Like Me: Sammy, Zeina, and Dawit

This game helps you get to know new people and what they like.

Just Like Me Game Click on this game to see if it is for you.
two males fist bumping

Steps to Making Friends:

  • Find someone who you want to talk to.
  • Ask the other person if they agree to meet or talk again.
  • If they say yes, meet and talk.
  • If you both had a good time, ask and plan when you will talk again.
  • It is nice to share some interests.
  • Talk and work it out if you disagree on something.
  • Build trust with time. If you promise to do something, do it.
  • Ask the people you trust if they think your new friend is a good fit for you.

Try these questions to get to know someone

Tap to flip the cards.

like and love emojis

Questions about likes

What type of music do you like?

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

Do you like summer or winter more?

What's your favorite meal to eat? Who cooks it for you?

the word dreams in a cloud

Questions about hopes and dreams

What makes you happy?

Are you learning any new hobby or skill?

If you could go on a trip, where would you go?

What is your dream job?

two cartoon images talking to each other

Questions about your story and family

Have you ever had a nickname? Did you like it?

Is there a holiday that you really enjoy?

Did you grow up here or in another town or state?

Who do you call when you need some help?

activities icons for sports, knitting, cards, gardening photography

Questions about activities to do

Do you have pets?

What's your favorite outing?

Do you collect anything?

What sports or exercise do you like?

Video

Making Friends When you Have a Learning Disability- The National Center for Learning Disabilities

In this video, some students had trouble meeting new people. Others didn't.

Sometimes others did not treat them nice. They had to look to find people who are nice.

They had to learn to be themselves. They suggest ways to join groups to find new people.

three friends with intellectual disabilities potting plants

Finding Friends

Endeavor is a disability service group in Australia.

Here are their 8 top ways to make friends when you have a disability.

  1. Join a club or community group.
  2. Attend a community event.
  3. Volunteer.
  4. Enroll in a workshop or class.
  5. Reconnect with old friends.
  6. Try something new.
  7. Say hello to someone new at work or school.

Click the blue button to read the article.

Article link

The Friendship Project

The Friendship Project has videos and social stories made by people with disabilities in Australia.

Check these out:

  1. Making and keeping friends can be hard
  2. Getting to know new people
  3. Catching public transportation to meet a friend
  4. Why trust is important
  5. What makes a bad friend
  6. What makes a good friend

Find the Videos here

cartoon image of a boy thinking about the different people who are bullying him

What if a friend is not treating you well?

What if they say bad words that make you sad or afraid?

What if they touch you when you do not want to be touched?

What if they try to get you to do things you do not want to do?

A person like this is not a real friend. A person like this is a fake friend or a bully.

EASY Read social stories


easy read icon

What to do if a friend upsets you.

Social Story Click here to go to another website.
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What to do if you want to stop being friends

Social Story Click here to go to another website.

Bullying is when someone treats you very badly on purpose and even keeps doing it.

Anyone can be bullied. It is wrong. Learn how to stop bullying.

stop walk talk

"Stop, Walk, Talk" - Three steps if someone is treating you badly.

Say STOP like you mean it. You can say "That is rude. You are not respecting me.”

Say “I am going to walk away.” Walk away.

Talk to someone you trust.

Video

Let's stop bullying for all: advice from disabled young people for disabled young people

Watch this Anti-bullying video from young people with disabilities in the UK.

easy read icon

EASY READ Handout on Bullying.

What is Bullying? from the UK.

What is Bullying Click here to go to another website.

Resources

https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/students-with-disabilities/

https://www.wizcase.com/blog/online-safety-guide-for-people-with-disabilities/

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:b2424261-5fa0-392d-be63-46e42f9f2144

Paid subscription or waiver-supported https://hello-itsme.com/

YouTube intro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4nlIjRpTv4

Persons with IDD learn about relationships with coaching support - US https://www.netflix.com/title/81338328; AU https://www.netflix.com/title/81265493