Comments on: Get Him Engaged! – 5 Strategies for Engaging Toddlers with ASD https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2013/01/22/get-him-engaged-5-strategies-for-engaging-toddlers-with-asd/ Sharing What Works in Supporting Infants & Toddlers and the Families in Early Intervention Thu, 25 Jun 2020 03:01:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Dana Childress, M.Ed. https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2013/01/22/get-him-engaged-5-strategies-for-engaging-toddlers-with-asd/#comment-147 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:24:31 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=331#comment-147 In reply to Colleen Gleason.

These are fantastic suggestions, Colleen! Yes, adding those expressions and sound effects are what really pull the child in and make the interaction enjoyable. In fact, research with toddlers with ASD has shown this – that adding “high intensity facial expressions” and sounds are very effective for getting and keeping the child’s attention. Many parents do this naturally and others can really benefit from learning to use these simple strategies with their children themselves.

]]> By: Colleen Gleason https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2013/01/22/get-him-engaged-5-strategies-for-engaging-toddlers-with-asd/#comment-146 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:02:27 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=331#comment-146 Loved your “my turn/your turn” suggestions, Dana.
It’s these beginning attempts to interact that are so hard, yet serve to create a foundation for all other interaction.
I notice that affect, or emotion, can go a long way to making this more intensive (i.e. my turn/your turn)interaction successful. A smile, wide open eyes, an intake of breath, when you take “your turn”, are all attempts to make this new interaction emotionally understandable and non threatening to the child.
Sound effects (i.e. a train sound as you bring your hand in slowly to “block” his truck) and emotional signaling (wide eyes, and a playful “uh oh!” when you catch his truck after it rolled off the couch) help tune the child into your intentions, and into your face–and invite him or her into the fun! These natural “my turn/your turn” gestures can solidify these fragile early attempts into something wonderful.

]]> By: Dana Childress, M.Ed. https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2013/01/22/get-him-engaged-5-strategies-for-engaging-toddlers-with-asd/#comment-145 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:11:36 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=331#comment-145 In reply to Tiffany Reynolds.

Thanks so much, Tiffany! I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the articles! The real-life scenarios are fun to write and even more fun to see how people respond because we’ve all been there! If you haven’t seen it already, check out our FB page (http://www.facebook.com/veipd) where I post an EI Tip of the Week too!

]]> By: Tiffany Reynolds https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2013/01/22/get-him-engaged-5-strategies-for-engaging-toddlers-with-asd/#comment-144 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:56:04 +0000 https://veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=331#comment-144 Those are all great tips Dana. I love the articles about real life scenarios. Each one that I have read so far has really hit home. Keep sharing your great advice 🙂

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