Dress Rehearsal

A coaching workbook

Dress Rehearsal

Practice a real errand out loud, start to finish, before you do it for real. Fill in today's details below, then work through the plan together.

Organize

The plan

Break the errand into small steps. Doing this ahead of time, out loud, is what makes the actual visit feel routine instead of overwhelming.

Before you go

    What to bring

      Communicate

      What you'll say

      Say the opening line out loud a few times, with your support professional modeling it first. Then work through the cards below, question first, starter phrase second, the same way it will happen in person.

      If your mind goes blank

      1. Pause. Take one slow breath.
      2. Look at this page (or your printed card) and re-read the question.
      3. Try the starter phrase under the question, out loud, even if it's just a few words.
      4. Still stuck? Use your help signal with your support professional.
      If you don't understand what they said: "Could you say that again?" · "One moment, let me check." · "Can you help me understand what you need from me?"

      For the support professional

      Coaching notes

      Techniques for this rehearsal and for the real visit, in the order to reach for them.

      1. Model it before asking for it.Say the line together, or say it once for them to hear, before it's their turn to try it alone. Most freezes happen when the first attempt is also the first time they've heard it out loud.
      2. Then wait.Once it's their turn, count to eight in your head before saying anything. Most people can answer on their own if they're given the time.
      3. If they freeze, point to the starter first.Silence is uncomfortable, but jumping straight to the full suggested answer teaches them to wait you out instead of trying. Try "take your time, want to try the starter" before giving the rest.
      4. Prompt from least to most.Beyond that: a small gesture or point, then a verbal hint, then a full model, then doing it together. Use only as much help as is needed, no more.
      5. Let them lead the conversation.Even if it's slower or the wording isn't perfect, resist answering for them. That's the whole point of the rehearsal.
      6. Agree on a help signal beforehand.A phrase like "can you ask them for me" gives them a way to bring you in without the moment feeling like a failure.
      7. Reinforce the specific thing that worked."You looked right at her and asked clearly" lands better than "good job," because it names exactly what to repeat next time.
      8. Fade your support, then try it somewhere new.Do a little less of the talking each time you practice this, and repeat the plan at a different place doing a different errand so the skill generalizes.

      Bring this along

      Today, at a glance

      A short version of everything above, for a quick look on the way in.

      Dress rehearsal

      you at wherever you're headed, practicing: your errand

      Add your opening line above.

      Bring

        If asked, remember

          Reflect

          After your visit

          Talk through these together once it's done, while it's still fresh.

          Reusable for any errand and any place. Fill in the top, adjust the lists, then reset it for the next practice.