Author: Andre Velho | Aug 01, 2017
Typically developing children ask for things they want – like snacks, TV time, going out to play etc. But their parents often say “Later”, “There are no more chocolates”, “I’m watching cricket right now, go play with your sister” and so on. They may have asked nicely, but they cannot have what they are asking for right now.
Accepting a situation like that can be very difficult for a child with autism. They do not have the necessary understanding and awareness to accept the fact that they cannot get what they may be asking for. In situations like these, picture cues can help a lot. A picture cue like the one in the photo shows a child with autism, concretely, that the adult understands the request but the item is not available at this moment. When taught properly, it helps reduce a lot of challenging behaviours resulting from these difficult situations.
Teaching ‘Not Available’
Use perishable items like biscuits, chips or juice or anything else the child likes. You can show the empty package and the ‘Not Available’ cue at the same time. Choose something of medium interest however, not something that the child is absolutely loves and will surely result in challenging behaviour.
Once the child responds to you by looking, gesturing or repeating after you, offer an alternative toy/food item/activity that he likes as much as the item that is not available anymore.
This is the most concrete way of teaching a child as well as training parents.