Anticipation is an essential skill for autistic children, as well as for parents, as it helps avoid anxiety and stress and prevents meltdowns. By teaching autistic children how to anticipate, you can help them develop crucial skills for their daily lives. Anticipation is important for several reasons:

Preparing in Advance

Anticipating events helps autistic children prepare and reduces anxiety. I remember when we changed KN’s school—I told her two months in advance and reminded her every day. Two weeks before school started, I took her to the new school to play on the playground, helping her get familiar with it. I explained that this would be her new school, where she would have new classmates and new teachers.

When her usual braider wasn’t available, I warned her ahead of time that we’d go to a different hairdresser and reminded her to behave well. If we took a different route than usual, I told her beforehand that we wouldn’t be going the usual way. This way, she didn’t have meltdowns.

Understanding Routines

Anticipation helps autistic children understand routines and the sequence of events. At home, KN knows that when she wakes up, she greets everyone; at bedtime, she says goodnight. Before eating, she automatically prays; after meals, she clears the table. She also prays before going to bed and before leaving for school.

So, when I send her to bed, she knows she must pray first. The same goes for showering—the first thing she does is grab her toothbrush. These routines also help her at school, as she knows how to behave when arriving and leaving.

Improving Flexibility

Anticipation helps autistic children become more flexible and adapt to changes. Since you’ve prepared them for what’s coming, they adjust more easily. For a restaurant outing, I warn KN that there will be people where we’re going and that she must behave like a big girl and be patient. I explain that the meal will take a few minutes and will be served hot, so she’ll need to blow on it to cool it down before eating.

Some Strategies to Help Autistic Children Anticipate:

• Use visual aids: Pictures, videos, or diagrams can help the child visualize upcoming events.
• Establish routines: Create predictable routines to help the child anticipate events.
• Prepare together: Involve the child in getting ready for future activities.

Examples Where Anticipation is Important for Autistic Children:

• Going to school
• Doctor’s visits
• Birthday parties
• Car trips
• Changes in routine…

This text is an excerpt from the book “BEYOND DISABILITY” written by ARLETTE SALINE MBIDA.

We invite you to read the next article: “ECHOLALIA (Techniques for Disabilities).”