Effective Strategies for Turn-Taking in Autism Therapy

Key Points:

• Turn-taking is a crucial social skill for children with autism, as it helps with communication, interaction, and building relationships.
• Strategies for teaching turn-taking in autism therapy include visual supports, structured play routines, and positive reinforcement.
• Consistent practice, patience, and understanding of the child's individual needs are essential for successful turn-taking.

Turn-taking is a fundamental social skill that enables children to interact, share, and communicate with others in a meaningful way. According to research, turn-taking may help support key areas of development for children, such as joint attention and language. 

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For children with autism, however, this skill can be difficult to master. This can make everyday activities, from playing games to having conversations, more difficult for both the child and the people around them.

Understanding how to teach turn-taking effectively is essential for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children with autism. In this article, we will explore effective methods for teaching turn-taking in autism therapy, how to create engaging activities, and how to use positive reinforcement to encourage success.

What Does Turn-Taking in Autism Mean?

Turn-taking, in the context of autism therapy, refers to the ability to wait for one’s turn in a social interaction or activity, whether it's during a game, conversation, or another type of shared activity. For children with autism, this may not come naturally, and they might not intuitively understand the concept of waiting for their turn or giving others a chance to engage. This can lead to frustration, social isolation, and difficulty in building friendships.

Turn-taking in autism involves more than just the physical act of waiting or passing an item. It includes understanding social cues, practicing patience, and communicating intentions. Turn-taking helps children understand the give-and-take of social interactions and contributes to better peer relationships, emotional regulation, and communication skills.

For children with autism, practicing turn-taking can be beneficial in the following ways: 

• Improves communication

Turn-taking in games or conversations helps children practice back-and-forth interactions.

• Builds social connections

It fosters relationships by enabling shared experiences and mutual engagement.

• Increases patience and emotional control

Children learn to wait for their turn, which can reduce impulsivity.

Why is Turn-Taking Important for Children with Autism?

For children with autism, learning to take turns is about more than just playing games or interacting socially. This skill plays a vital role in their overall development. Turn-taking is linked to several core areas of functioning:

In therapy, turn-taking strategies help children understand how to navigate the world of social interactions, making them more comfortable in group settings and with peers. The earlier a child starts to learn these skills, the better equipped they will be to interact meaningfully with others.

Strategies for Teaching Turn-Taking in Autism Therapy

Teaching turn-taking in autism therapy requires patience, consistency, and a structured approach. Using clear, effective strategies can make the process more manageable for children with autism. Below are some proven techniques and approaches for teaching turn-taking in therapy:

1. Use Visual Supports and Cues

Visual supports are a highly effective tool for children with autism. These can include visual schedules, turn-taking charts, or simple cards that indicate whose turn it is. Visual cues help children understand the structure of turn-taking, especially if they struggle with verbal communication or abstract concepts.

The following are some examples of visual supports for turn-taking:

• Turn-taking boards

A board with pictures of each child or player and spaces to indicate whose turn it is.

• Timer systems

Use a visual timer to show when it’s time for each person to take their turn.

• Waiting cards

Cards that indicate "waiting" to signal that a child should wait for their turn.

2. Create Structured Play Activities

Structured play routines are essential for helping children practice turn-taking in a predictable and safe environment. The key to success is repetition and consistent practice. For example, playing a game like “Simon Says” or “Pass the Ball” allows children to take turns in a controlled, clear sequence. Activities that involve a set routine help children know what to expect and make it easier for them to wait for their turn.

Some examples of structured turn-taking activities for children with autism include:

• Board games

Simple games like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders are ideal for practicing turn-taking.

• Group activities

Organize structured group play where children pass toys or materials around the circle.

• Interactive games

Engage in games that require players to take turns, such as sharing toys, taking turns on a swing, or waiting to push a button.

3. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective strategies in ABA therapy for encouraging turn-taking behavior. Children should be praised when they wait for their turn, use appropriate communication to express their needs, or successfully complete a turn. Reinforcements can include verbal praise, tokens, or preferred activities.

Here are some examples of reinforcement strategies:

• Verbal praise

Complimenting the child when they successfully wait for their turn.

• Token systems

Earning tokens or stickers for good turn-taking that can be traded for rewards.

• Access to preferred activities

Allowing the child to engage in a favorite activity or toy after successfully taking a turn.

4. Modeling and Role-Playing

Modeling the desired behavior by demonstrating turn-taking with other children or adults is essential for children with autism. This method allows them to see how turn-taking works in real time. Role-playing scenarios where the child gets to practice waiting for their turn in a controlled environment can also be beneficial.

Here is how you can try implementing modeling and role-playing at home:

• Demonstrate turn-taking with peers

Children can observe their peers practicing turn-taking in structured settings.

• Use puppets or dolls

Role-play with toys, demonstrating turn-taking behaviors with clear and consistent language.

• Social stories

Create simple, short stories that explain how turn-taking works in different scenarios.

5. Gradual Increase in Difficulty

Start with simple activities and gradually increase the complexity as the child’s understanding of turn-taking improves. Begin with situations where the child only needs to wait for a few seconds and increase the waiting time as they build patience. Over time, this will help them generalize turn-taking skills to other activities, social settings, and interactions.

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Turn-Taking and ABA Therapy

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If you’re a parent in North Carolina or Indiana and are looking for strategies to help your child with autism develop better social skills, Astra ABA is here to assist. We offer evidence-based ABA therapy designed to help children with autism improve turn-taking, communication, and social interaction skills.

At Astra ABA, our experienced therapists work closely with families to create personalized treatment plans tailored to each child’s needs. Whether your child requires individual therapy sessions or group interventions, we are dedicated to providing the tools and support necessary for social and emotional growth.

Contact Astra ABA today to learn more about how we can help your child develop essential skills, including turn-taking, in North Carolina and Indiana.