How ABA May Support Introducing Yourself on Your Own Terms

Start with the person's reason for introducing

Ask where introductions matter to the person: a club, class, workplace, appointment, neighbor interaction, or online group. Decide which details are useful and which stay private. The ASAN self-determination page emphasizes control over one's life and communication. Name, pronouns, diagnosis, job, relationship, and contact information are separate disclosure choices.

Use any effective communication form

An introduction can use speech, sign, writing, a card, typed text, a device message, or a support person who relays the person's own words. The ASHA AAC portal supports continuous access to AAC. Eye contact, handshakes, facial expression, and spoken fluency are not prerequisites.

Teach the setting and partner too

A partner can state their own name, ask one clear question, allow wait time, read the chosen message, and move on without repeated prompting. The CASP public summary supports individualized planning. If a room is noisy, a badge is unreadable, or a facilitator skips the person, record the access barrier.

Keep skip, correction, and exit available

Useful messages include I prefer not to share, use this name, I am here for, please repeat, that is incorrect, and I am done. When assent applies, willingness can change during practice. The Breaux and Smith paper offers practice recommendations for individual assent and withdrawal while noting a limited evidence base.

A practical example

Samira chooses to prepare three introduction options for six club situations: a spoken name, a typed name plus activity, and a no-introduction wave. All six situations offer the three options and wait time. She chooses a spoken introduction twice, typed introduction three times, and the wave once. Access is 6 of 6; no option is ranked as better.

Questions families can use

Ask why an introduction matters, what the person wants to share, which format works, what stays private, how partners will respond, what corrections are available, and how the person skips or leaves. ABA introduction skills should widen access to chosen interactions rather than make someone appear socially typical.