Noticing that asking for help is a skill and a form of self-advocacy, not a sign of weakness or giving up.
Exploring how knowing what you are stuck on before asking can make it easier for the other person to help you effectively.
Thinking about how reading the situation, including whether the other person is available and ready, can make a difference to the outcome.
Considering the many different ways a person can ask for help, including verbally, in writing, by pointing, or through a device.
Reflecting on what helps when frustration builds during a difficult task, and how communicating that feeling can be part of asking for support.
Exploring what it means to learn from the help you receive, and how that can build confidence for next time.
The speaker shares four practical steps for asking for help in a way that is more likely to be heard and responded to well. The first step is to have a go at something yourself first, so you can be clearer about what you are actually stuck on. The second step is to be aware of the other person, including whether this is a good time for them to help. The third step is to think about how you ask, keeping your words and tone clear and calm even when the situation feels frustrating. The fourth step is to pay attention to the help you receive so you can use it yourself next time.
• Which of the four steps stood out to you most?
• How do you know when you have had a good go at something yourself and it is time to ask for support?
• What helps you work out whether someone is available to help at that moment?
• What is your preferred way of asking for help, and what makes that work best for you?
• What might you say if you are feeling frustrated but still need to ask for support?
• Is there a situation where asking for help feels straightforward, and one where it feels harder?
• What could someone do or say that would make it easier for you to ask them for help?
• Is there something you have been helped with recently that you feel more able to try on your own now?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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