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85 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication Approach10.1 STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT SOCIAL SKILLSAt GLP Stages 4 to 6 the older child or young person will be developing their communication skills and may want to explore difference. If they recognise having a difference in social interaction or in developing or maintaining friendships, they may benefit from exploring neurodiversity. Crompton et al (2020) found that %u2018Autistic people have the skills to share information well with one another and experience good rapport%u2019. The research was for autistic adults, however, opportunities for autistic Gestalt Language Processors to be together and engage, interact, share their views and explore difference may be helpful.Activity for exploring neurodiversity %u2013 Brain Bottle exercise for older studentsCareful consideration of the individual%u2019s abilities and needs must be given before using this activity. The Brain Bottle exercise is a practical activity and can be carried out with a pair or group of young people. You need empty plastic bottles and sets of different coloured pom poms.Each person is given a set of 30 coloured pom poms: six different colours, five of each colour. Each person is given an empty transparent bottle or container.Six categories of strength can be selected knowing the different strengths of the group members or use this list of ideas:%u2022 Jigsaws%u2022 Mental maths%u2022 Drawing%u2022 Singing%u2022 Following instructions%u2022 Model making.Each person is given six different colours of pom poms, five of each colour. Each %u2018category%u2019 of area of strength is given a colour matching that of the six colours of pom poms.The group, including the supporting adult/s, place a number of coloured pom poms for each strength corresponding to a scale (shown below) into the bottle. For example, jigsaws could be represented by red pom poms. If the individual is %u2018good%u2019 at jigsaws, they would put three red pom poms in the bottle. If they were %u2018excellent%u2019 then they would add five.Not a strength OK Good Very good Excellent1 2 3 4 5The children and young people then compare their Brain Bottles as an introduction to discussing differences.