For a child with autism, leaving the playground, turning off a screen or waiting for a turn can trigger frustration or meltdowns. Transitions introduce uncertainty and disrupt what they expected would happen next. According to Reena Naami-Dier, BCBA, LBA, owner of Spark Center for Autism in Farmington, transitions are especially challenging when children don’t have the communication tools to express how they’re feeling.
Why unpredictability makes transitions harder
“When you are transitioning from something that’s really fun and really preferred to something that you don’t know what to expect, or history tells you that it’s not as fun, those transitions can get really difficult,” Naami-Dier says.
One of the most effective ways parents can help is by being proactive rather than reactive.
For example, when it’s time to leave the playground, you might offer something motivating before asking your child to transition.
Instead of saying, “We have to go now,” say, “It’s time for fruit snacks — let’s go to the car.” By pairing the transition with something the child enjoys, you help reduce frustration and make the shift feel more predictable and manageable.
Simple strategies such as visual schedules, timers, offering choices, and practicing transitions in low-pressure situations can help build tolerance over time. “One of the big keys is practice,” she says.
Want to learn more? Read our related stories on why children with autism use behavior to communicate and how routines help children with autism:
This content is sponsored by Spark Center for Autism.
