Useful Tips

• Remember than some children with autism have trouble understanding verbal instruction. If possible, give the activity instructions in a variety of formats.
• Introduce these activities gradually to avoid overwhelming the child. It's best to work on one language-related game at a time.
• Make the language activities fun and praise all progress, no matter how small. This is hard work for the preschooler, even if you're making it fun.
• Read often and for long periods of time. This exposure to language is important for all children and essential for kids with autism.

Taking turns

Taking turns is important for social development, and it's also a huge part of the language. Turn-taking can be challenging for anyone, but it's often especially hard for neurodivergent people. Formalizing the behavior and making it fun can help it become a natural part of the coachee's life.

Try these ideas for activities:

• When the coachee is playing a game, step in, and ask for a turn. Don't wait for them to say "okay." Take your turn and ask them if they want to have a turn. When the coachee learns that they will get their turn, he or she becomes less anxious about giving it up.
• Make sure you reward turn taking to reinforce it.

Feelings and Emotions

The understanding and display of empathy and appropriate emotions of others and one's self can be challenging.

Facial expressions and other body languages, verbal intonation and responses reflecting emotion are all often misunderstood or not understood at all.

Inappropriate responses to situations may occur, for example, laughing or giggling when someone is hurt or upset. Make sure you pick up on it.

Teaching your coachee to express and control their feelings will not only help them win more immediate social approval, but will also help them develop the emotional foundation for success as teens, and even as adults.