Tip 10
Decreasing Behaviors Through Choice
Summary
Choice-making. is a proven strategy for kids with autism that helps to prevent meltdowns and other challenging behavior. Providing choices can increase a sense of autonomy and motivation. Creating regular opportunities across the day about what happens and when it happens can serve as an effective anxiety reducing strategy and a communication tool. These choices might include the route for the nightly walk, meal options, order of activities for the day, and/or preferences for activities.
This strategy can also be used effectively after challenging behavior has already started. It is helpful to use less words while providing options during a behavior. For example: "You can eat at the counter or at the table" instead of "You can eat at the dinner table with the rest of the family or you can eat at the counter by yourself and not act as part of the family."
Checklist
⃞ Keep choices concise
⃞ Limit the choices you provide (2-4)
⃞ Use visual supports when necessary
⃞ State choices in statements not questions (allowing them to say "no")
⃞ Avoiding giving choices that are not available