Around Town Round Up-- Priming for Changes

Change, especially unexpected change, can be extremely stressful for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with ASD often prefer to have a sense of structure and to know what to expect during the day and what activity they will be doing and when. Consistency and predictability help children feel reassured that they know what will happen next. When change occurs, children with ASD may respond in a variety of ways, including exhibiting withdrawal, repetitive behaviors, tantrums, or even aggression. It is important to remember that these behaviors are typically the result of extreme anxiety and/or inability to communicate their emotions/desires. Priming for changes can be an effective way to address these challenges. Today's Around Town Round Up will share several ideas for priming students for changes.

The first step to priming student's for changes is to provide opportunities to deliberately practice the change routine in a positive way that feels non-threatening to the student. Play games and incorporate fun changes such as extra recess, a special treat, or preferred activities. Allow students to ask questions and voice their concerns about changes. Also, practice calming strategies that the student can use in the moment if they start to feel stressed about a change. 

Next, provide a visual way to cue that a change is going to occur. Prime the student by writing the proposed change on the visual and reviewing what the new expectations will be for that activity. Many classrooms use a class-wide change visual to cue all students when they arrive that a change will occur. 

Jennifer Schmidt
Beavercreek High School, Beavercreek

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

For individual students, the change visual can be placed on a lanyard, velcro’d to a desk or schedule, written on a post-it note, or given to the student to put in their pocket for easy access if they need to remind themselves of the change. This visual reminder often provides security for the student when they start to feel anxious about the change.

Emily Ottmar
Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Angela Crum
Parkwood Elementary, Beavercreek

Through priming for changes, you provide students with a predictable, routine way to present an unpredictable occurrence in their in schedule or routine which will limit stress, teach flexibility, and prevent interfering behaviors.