How to Teach Sitting to Autistic Children

Many activities that we want to do, requires sitting. At home, at school, seeing a movie, eating in a restaurant etc.

An autistic person generally does not like to sit except when they chose to, and while they are involve in an activity they have chosen. This inability to sit at other times, severely limits the activities and experiences they can involve in.

Children need to be able to sit, so they can learn toiletting, writing, academic skills and eating in a mannerly way.

HOW TO TEACH SITTING

- ascertain the rewards for the child-- toys, activities

- have the reward ready and with you

- say clearly and firmly "SIT" and prompt by tapping the chair

- immediately sit him in the chair. The initial demand is only 10 secs. hold the child in the chair for that time, ignore the tantrum and keep telling him "good sitting"

- reward him immediately with the chosen reward and let him leave the chair while saying "Good Sitting"

- Begin to move him to other chairs in other parts of the house, have him sit for the same amt. of time, 10 secs. and reward him immediately.

- when he can sit for 10 secs. begin to increase the time for 20 secs.

- continue with increasing the time, very gradually, and practicing the sitting in different chairs and different places.

- Begin to generalize, have the other member of the family do the sitting program.

- Notice and praise "good siting" when it is naturally occurring.