Different: Level 1

Teaching Instructions:

Lay out 2 items in front of the student. Say, "These are yours." Then show them your item (which is the same as one of the items in front of them) and say, "This is mine." Pause, then say, "Which of yours is different from mine?" The student can point to, give, or say the different item.

After they give you the correct item, say, "Yes, these are ____" and the student should fill in the blank by saying, "Different."

Note: Make sure that the non-same item is obviously different.

Sub-Goals:
1) Non-Arbitrary: Pictures of symbols (ex. red heart, black peace sign, blue circle).

2) Arbitrary: Pictures of animals or common items (make sure they know what the animals and items are called).

3) Non-Arbitrary: Objects with simple shapes (ex. blocks with different shapes, fruit).

4) Arbitrary: Complex Objects (ex. toys, action figures, clothing).

Teaching Instructions:

Switch between asking for the same or different.

Lay out 2 items in front of the student. Say, "These are yours." Then show them your item (which is the same as one of the items in front of them) and say, "This is mine." Pause, then say, "Which of yours is different/the same?" The student can point to, give or say the item they choose.

After they give you the correct item, say, "Yes, these are ____" and the student should fill in the blank by saying, "The same/different."

Note: Make sure that the non-same item is obviously different.

Sub-Goals:
1) Non-Arbitrary: Pictures of symbols.

2) Arbitrary: Pictures of animals or common items (make sure they know what the animals and items are called).

3) Non-Arbitrary: Objects with simple shapes (ex. blocks with different shapes, fruit)

4) Arbitrary: Complex Objects (ex. toys, action figures, clothing)

Teaching Instructions:

Switch between asking for the same or different.

Put 2 items behind your back. 

Tell the student, "I'm going to show you 2 things and you'll tell me if they were the same or different." Show the 1st one to the student and say, "Here's 1," then hide it. Show the 2nd one and say, "Here's the other," then hide it. Ask, "What were they?" The student should respond, "Same/different."

Notes: Make sure that the non-same item is completely different in color and shape. You may use the same items that were used in goal 1A.

Sub-Goals:
1) Non-Arbitrary: Pictures of symbols.

2) Arbitrary: Pictures of animals or common items (make sure they know what the animals and items are called).

3) Non-Arbitrary: Objects with simple shapes (ex. blocks with different shapes, fruit)

4) Arbitrary: Complex Objects (ex. toys, action figures, clothing)

Teaching Instructions:

Switch between asking for the same or different.

Think of the word/sound(s) you will use. 

Tell the student, "I'm going to say 2 words and you'll tell me if they were the same or different." Then say, "(first word/sound)" Then pause. Then say, "(second word/sound)." Ask, "What were they?" The student should respond, "same/different."

Note: Make sure that the non-same item is completely different in color and shape.

Sub-Goals:
1) Words (make sure the student knows what these words are).

2) Sounds (ex. Whooooop, hssss, beep bop, swwwwish).

Teaching Instructions:

Switch between asking for the same or different.

Prepare 2 items with obviously different textures (ex. soft, fuzzy, hard, bumpy, scratchy, squishy). Have the student either close their eyes or wear a blindfold when feeling the items, or hide the items in 2 different boxes/bags. 

Tell the student, "You're going to feel 2 things and you'll tell me if they were the same or different." Let them feel the 1st item and say, "Here's 1," then hide it. Let them feel the 2nd one and say, "Here's the other," then hide it. Ask, "What were they?" The student should respond, "Same/different." After their guess, reveal what they felt.

Note: Make sure that the student is not able to cheat and look at the items they are feeling.

Teaching Instructions:

Switch between asking for the same or different.

Prepare 2 items with obviously different smells (ex. playdough vs flower, kid's scratch and sniff book). Have the student close their eyes or wear a blindfold when smelling. 

Tell the student, "You're going to smell 2 things and you'll tell me if they were the same or different." Let them feel the 1st item and say, "Here's 1," then hide it. Let them feel the 2nd one and say, "Here's the other," then hide it. Ask, "What were they?" The student should respond, "Same/different." After their guess, tell and show them what they were smelling.

Teaching Instructions:

Switch between asking for the same or different.

Prepare 2 foods with obviously different tastes (ex. spaghetti noodle and candy) into small bite sizes. Have the student close their eyes or wear a blindfold when feeding the bites. 

Tell the student, "You're going to taste 2 things and you'll tell me if they were the same or different." Feed them the 1st food and say, "Here's 1," then wait for them to finish the food. Then feed them the 2nd food and say, "Here's the other," and wait for them to finish. Ask, "What were they?" The student should respond, "Same/different." After their guess, tell and show them what they were eating.

Note: You may also choose to use drinks instead.