Communication Temptations

Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have difficulty using language or initiating spontaneous communication. Communication temptations give children the opportunity to be the initiator of communication, rather than a responder to questions or to requests to talk. Hence, it is beneficial to provide as many opportunities as possible for your child to practice these communication skills.

Through Requesting

 

Requesting is often the easiest form of communication at first. After setting up communication temptations to request, the adult is to wait because waiting tempts your child to make something happen. It allows your child to persist in communicating (e.g. through eye contact, gestures, and words).

Some ways to use requesting at home,

 

• Choose an activity that your child enjoys and is easily stopped and started (e.g., bubbles or being pushed on a swing)
  → Start the activity, have a bit of fun (2-3 turns) and then stop (e.g. put the lid on the bubbles or pull him up in the swing but don’t let him go)
  → Wait
• Choose an object that has many parts that you can hand to your child (e.g., crackers that he loves to eat, trains for a track, crayons for colouring, puzzle pieces, pretend Velcro vegetables for cutting, etc.)
  → Start the activity, give him one item (e.g., give him 2-3 crackers or one train).
  → Wait
• Set up the environment so that your child can see the object, yet you create an obstacle for getting that object (e.g. keep your child’s favourite biscuits on a high shelf, put the cars in a see-through container that he can’t open or keep toys in a cupboard with a child lock).
  → Wait

Pay attention to your child’s motivation for different activities, toys, or food items. When that motivation is present, it is a great time to work on making requests!

 

Adapted from Markham Stouffville Hospital – Child Development Programs