Maura L Rouse, PsyD, HSPP
Having difficulty transitioning from one activity to another often leads to disruptive behaviors, which may include tantrums and aggression. For children with special needs, including those with diagnoses of ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and sensory processing difficulties, transitions can be particularly problematic and disruptive.
A few suggestions to improve transitions are listed below:
1. Create routines: Create routines (e.g. bedtime routine) and insert them into predictable times in the day
2. Preview and countdown: Talk about or show what the day will be like in the morning; before each transition, countdown (perhaps with visual timers) when the next transition will take place
3. Give it a soundtrack: Songs can be helpful in beginning the transition (e.g., the “clean up” song)
4. Visual cues: Visual supports can help children, especially children with lower verbal skills, anticipate when transitions will occur, as well as the next activity they will transition to
5. Get their attention: Make sure that you have a child’s attention and understanding before expecting that he/she follows through with instructions to transition
6. Use rewards: Edible, tangible, and attention-based rewards can be used to increase the likelihood that the child will follow through with parents’ expectations
7. Implement appropriate expectations: Ignore annoying and obnoxious behavior during a transition and use appropriate consequences for more egregious behavior (e.g. hitting)
8. Praise appropriate transitioning: Specifically tell the child when he/she has transitioned really well! Give other rewards as appropriate.
To learn more, visit https://childmind.org/article/how-can-we-help-kids-with-transitions/
Contributor:
Maura L Rouse, PsyD, HSPP
Clinical Psychologist
Riley Hospital for Children
Indiana University School of Medicine
