How to Teach Waiting to Children with Autism
Challenges in Teaching Waiting to Autistic Kids
I know how hard it is for parents when their child gets upset while waiting. Today, I will share my best strategy on how to teach waiting to children with autism without frustrations. This technique is not only effective but also fun, making it easier for both kids and parents!
Quick Intro
Hi, I'm Sergio, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Together with my wife, Rosa, who is a Speech Therapist, we opened our private practice in San Antonio, Texas. We've helped many families, and 80% of the kids we work with have a diagnosis of autism.
What is Patience and Why is it Important?
Patience is the ability to accept delays without getting upset. Teaching patience to kids with autism is essential because it helps them manage their emotions better and engage in daily activities without frustration. The good news is that teaching waiting doesn’t have to be complicated. By using fun activities and strategies, parents can help their child learn this important skill.
Why Teaching Waiting Skills is Crucial for Kids with Autism
Teaching waiting skills to children with autism is about more than just making daily life smoother; it's about helping them develop a crucial skill for life. Kids who learn how to wait can better handle transitions, like moving from playtime to mealtime, and are more likely to engage positively in social settings. This can lead to significant improvements in social interactions with both peers and adults.
My Simple Strategy: Do Something Fun While Waiting
Many parents try using timers or token boards to teach waiting, but these can be difficult to use consistently. My simple strategy for teaching waiting is to do something fun while waiting. Think about what you do when you have to wait—you likely distract yourself with an activity. Kids can do the same!
Success Stories in Teaching Waiting to Children with Autism
Here are six success stories of how parents I work with use this strategy to help their child with autism learn to wait:
Tips for Teaching Waiting Skills at Home
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Start at Home with Simple Activities: It’s easier to practice waiting at home before trying it out in public. Once your child learns to wait at home, you can start practicing waiting in other settings, like at the store or a restaurant.
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Set Small, Achievable Goals: Start with short waiting periods, like 5 minutes. It’s better to practice frequently for short amounts of time than to push for longer periods right away. Remember, patience builds over time, and practice makes perfect.
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Be Mindful of the Word "Wait": If your child gets upset when they hear the word "wait," try using different phrases. For example, instead of saying, "We have to wait," say, "Let’s count the dishes first, and then we can play!" This avoids negative associations with waiting and uses replacement behaviors.
Things to Avoid When Teaching Waiting Skills
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Don’t Introduce New Games: Use games your child already loves. For example, if your child likes counting, stick to counting games instead of introducing new activities like coloring.
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Don’t Rush the Process: Start with small steps. If your child is waiting for dishes to be done, start with one dish and work up to ten. This helps your child feel successful and builds their confidence. Consistent reinforcement and patience are key!
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Don’t Ignore Your Child’s Feelings: If your child starts crying, don’t ignore them. Try to bring them back to the fun activity. If it’s too much, take a step back and make the task easier.
Success Story #1
Waiting While Washing Dishes: A 3-year-old struggled with waiting while her mom washed dishes. Instead of using a timer, we counted the dishes together as Mom washed them because the child loved to count. This turned waiting into a fun counting game.
Success Story #2
Reducing Screen Time: One child didn’t want to let go of the iPad. Instead of just taking it away and leaving him to find something else to do until the next screen time, we mindfully listed and played games that the child already loved. This helped the mom bond with her child and made waiting time more enjoyable. It also encouraged reducing screen time in a way that felt positive rather than forced.
Success Story #3
Waiting to Share Toys: Another child had trouble waiting to share his toys. He loved animal sounds, so we made a storytelling game out of it. I used different animals to make funny sounds and stories, keeping him engaged while he waited his turn. This strategy worked well because it combined his interests with the concept of waiting skills.
Success Story #4
Waiting for Food to Be Ready: A young girl didn’t like waiting for her muffins to bake. Instead of setting a timer, we sang songs together. By the time we sang a few songs, the muffins were ready! This shows how activities can fill the waiting time with something enjoyable.
Success Story #5
Letting Parents Have Dinner: One child loved Taylor Swift songs. While her parents had dinner, they set up a "Taylor Swift concert" in the living room. She had so much fun singing and dancing that she didn’t mind waiting. Using music and play can be a great way to teach waiting.
Conclusion: Making Waiting Fun and Easy
Teaching your child how to wait doesn’t have to be stressful. By focusing on what your child likes and taking small, progressive steps, you can make waiting a positive experience. Whether you're using visual aids, playing games, or simply being creative, you can help your child learn the valuable skill of waiting while keeping the process fun for everyone.
If you found these tips helpful on how to teach waiting to children with autism, don’t forget to share them with other parents and subscribe to my channel for more advice!
Success Story #6
Waiting to Play a New Game: A girl who loved being near her mom struggled with waiting to play a new game. To make waiting easier, we asked her to help mom around the house, such as folding towels, so she could stay close. Including her with mom while waiting turned it into a positive experience rather than leaving her alone while waiting.