Transitions

Some children have problems transitioning from the booth to other activities such as speech and the playroom, and they may tantrum and/or drop to the floor. You should assist your child’s walking by holding their hand during transitions and making sure you are watching them in case they attempt to run away. The icon ring is a tool that each tutor will use to increase the likelihood of your child’s appropriate behaviors during the transitions. Remember to make sure you have a couple of reinforcers in your belt to reinforce appropriate transitioning every 30 seconds.

The Icon RingThe icon ring has a picture of each transition location. When you and your child

are transitioning from the booth to other activities, you should always tell your child, “It is time to go to the playroom (bathroom, lunch, etc.)” while you are pointing to the icon on the ring. Bring the icon ring with you and put it in your apron or allow the child to carry it.

When transitioning back to the booth, use the child’s icon ring to show them the icon of the booth and tell them what you’re going to do, such as, “Lets go play with Buzz Light-Year!” Do not say, “Let’s go back to your booth,” because some children may find the booth and/or a procedure done in the booth aversive. This is important, especially with children who express problems during transitions. When arriving back to the booth, you should give the child access to one of their favorite toys such as a certain doll, game, book, or puzzle and get the next procedure ready.

How to handle problem transitions• Use the Icon Ring • Make transitions fun: Transitioning is a skill that you can provide to your child.

In order to teach this skill, provide toys and praise consistently as long as your child is walking appropriately. Make a big deal when your child walks appropriately, and pay a lot of attention to him/her. The inappropriate behaviors may decrease if you make walking with you more reinforcing than other reinforcers out there.

• Use the “Reinforcer Trail”: During transitions, bring a small, preferred toy with you that you can carry in your apron. Show the child the preferred toy and entice them with the toy back to the booth.

NEVER PICK UP YOUR CHILD. If everything else fails, get a TA to assist you.

Do’s and Don’ts for handling transitionDo Don’t

Constantly use reinforcers outside of the booth

Use what’s in your apron– that’s what they are there for

Make transition quick and fun

Make chasing around a game Allow your child to stay in other

booths or play with toys in someone else’s bin

Pull your child’s hand (your child is fragile)

Leave your child alone in order to ignore inappropriate behaviors

Lift your child