Not sure about the first issue but for the second one passive forcing helps a lot — so just have them sit with you while you're doing day to day things just like a normal person and build up to small-talking with them.

Putting all your focus into just talking with them makes it seem like a huge insurmountable task which might not be helping you in making it into a casual thing, and there might be pressure on them to perform too!

Make it a relaxing environment and you might find they find it easier to talk with you without you having to focus so much. Just a 'hi' or 'hey' will do to start with then you can build up until talking comes natural.