November 2010

What do you want?
by Carley Waltenburg M.S., BCBA

Have you ever found yourself standing in the kitchen with your child laying on the floor screaming?

You pull out the cookies, “do you want cookies?” the child is still screaming.
You pull out the crackers, “do you want crackers?” this child continues to scream.
You pull out the juice, “do you want juice?” Screaming stops, child stands up and takes the juice.

Wouldn’t it be easier if the child could just point to what he or she wants?

Teaching your child to point to desired items is not only an easy thing to teach, but it is a functional skill that will help decrease tantrum behavior.

Start with a phrase that will let the child know it’s time to make a choice. Our commonly used phrase is “what do you want?”. Get in the habit of saying this phrase every time you present your child with a choice.

Start with a highly preferred item and a non-preferred item. That way, you know which one they want already.

Every time you say “what do you want” physically prompt the child to point to the desired item. That means to help them form their little hand into a point. When they point to the item, label it for them and give it to them.

Once they start pointing to the desired item consistently, you can practice this with a variety of items on the table or in the pantry. 

This can be practiced all throughout the day. Every time they want something, you can practice the point.

Good Luck!