Capturing your child's attention Step 3: Eliminate the competition
Mother and child clapping

Rationale
There are many things in the physical environment that can be distracting and compete for your child’s attention. Computers, tablets or television, mechanical toys, and even a busy household may interfere with gaining your child’s attention. By identifying things in your environment that attract your child’s attention and minimizing these distractions, you may be more likely to become the focus of your child’s attention.

Drawing of a bookRead more:
Infants in a Noisy World

Making sense of the senses

 

 

Ipad screenListen to this podcast for more:

Turning On or Tuning Out: The Influence of Media on Young Children’s Development Featuring Ellen Wartella, Ph.D

 

I can eliminate distractions from my child’s attention by:

• Turning off the TV, computer and other electronics when interacting
• Identifying the things that compete for my child’s attention and hiding them, putting them away, or moving to a less distracting location
• Teaching family members and others the importance of not interrupting or diverting my child’s attention

 

Back to Module 1          Step 4: Understand your child’s social comfort zone

Adapted from: An early start for your child with Autism: Using everyday activities to help kids connect, communicate, and learn. Rogers, S.J., Dawson, G., Vismara, L.A. (2012). New York: Guilford Press.