The idea behind priming is to preview activities or information with a child before the child participates in that activity.
One main function of using priming is to help a child or adult with autism become more familiar and comfortable with activities that will take place in the future. We give them information about something before it happens. This is a great way to help transition between activities.
I often use a strategy called "transition warnings," where you tell the child when you are about to change activities. Sometimes, I see adults abruptly making kids transition to a new activity without telling them about the transition in advance, sometimes taking toys out of their hands without much explanation.
Of course, there may be some kids who can handle this. But you're less likely to have problem behavior when you give the child a transition warning. I usually give a 5-minute and a 1-minute warning. I'll gently get my student's attention and say, "In five minutes, we are going to put away the blocks and line up for lunch." I do the same at one minute. You can also use picture schedules, first-then charts, and transition countdowns to help the child know what's coming up with the transition.
Here's a quick video with some tips on priming and transitions:
One main function of using priming is to help a child or adult with autism become more familiar and comfortable with activities that will take place in the future. We give them information about something before it happens. This is a great way to help transition between activities.
I often use a strategy called "transition warnings," where you tell the child when you are about to change activities. Sometimes, I see adults abruptly making kids transition to a new activity without telling them about the transition in advance, sometimes taking toys out of their hands without much explanation.
Of course, there may be some kids who can handle this. But you're less likely to have problem behavior when you give the child a transition warning. I usually give a 5-minute and a 1-minute warning. I'll gently get my student's attention and say, "In five minutes, we are going to put away the blocks and line up for lunch." I do the same at one minute. You can also use picture schedules, first-then charts, and transition countdowns to help the child know what's coming up with the transition.
Here's a quick video with some tips on priming and transitions: