How to Teach A Child Joint Attention with ABA

Joint attention is a vital social-communication skill that plays an essential role in child development. It’s the ability to get, hold, and shift attention while interacting with another person. This skill, foundational for developing more complex social and communication skills, often needs to be taught to children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Think about a casual chat with the neighbor, Paul – you’d naturally point out interesting things, make eye contact, and share attention during the conversation. However, many children with autism struggle with this skill.

Understanding and fostering joint attention can make a significant difference in the child’s development, especially if they’re receiving ABA therapy. In this post, we’ll explore what joint attention is, its milestones, and practical activities to help the child develop this crucial skill.

What Is Joint Attention?

As you’ve learned, in ABA, joint attention is the ability to coordinate attention between a person, another person, and an object or event. This skill is crucial for learning, social interaction, and communication.

Imagine a parent and child are at the park, and the parent points out a bird in the sky. When the child follows the parent’s gaze and also looks at the bird, they’re engaging in joint attention. This seemingly simple interaction is critical for language development and social bonding.

 

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5 Activities to Teach Joint Attention

1. Follow the Point

Encourage the learner to follow the pointing gesture, make eye contact, and learn to point to objects of interest themselves.

Here’s how:

• Start with Familiar Objects: Begin with objects that the child already finds interesting. For example, if the child loves a particular toy, use it as a starting point.
• Demonstrate Pointing: Point to the object and say, “Look at the ball!” Ensure the tone is enthusiastic and the facial expression is engaging to capture their interest.
• Encourage Eye Contact: Make sure you are at the child’s eye level to foster eye contact. This helps them understand that communication involves looking at each other.
• Model Pointing: After demonstrating, gently guide the child’s hand to point at the object. Praise and encourage them when they successfully follow the point or attempt to point themselves.
• Introduce New Items: Gradually introduce new items to maintain their interest. Each new object should be something that can capture their attention.
• Reinforce and Celebrate: Reinforce the behavior by celebrating every small success with praise or a favorite activity. This positive reinforcement will motivate them to continue engaging in joint attention activities.

By consistently practicing these steps, you help the child not only follow the gestures but also learn to initiate pointing, which is a critical component of joint attention and communication.

2. Turn-Taking Games

Simple games that require taking turns, such as rolling a ball back and forth.

Here’s how: Sit opposite the child and roll a ball toward them. Then, wait for them to roll it back. Emphasize eye contact and shared enjoyment during the game, celebrating each successful turn with positive reinforcement.

3. Read Together

Interactive book reading where you point out and name pictures.

Here’s how: Choose engaging and colorful books. As you read, point to pictures and name them, asking the child to do the same. Encourage them to point out objects they find interesting and respond to their gestures with enthusiasm.

4. Play with Toys

Use toys that capture the child’s interest, such as bubbles or wind-up toys.

Here’s how: Demonstrate how to play with the toy, then encourage the child to join in. For example, blow bubbles and say, “Look at the bubbles!” Let the child take turns blowing or popping them, reinforcing joint attention through shared play.

5. Play Peek-a-Boo

Peek-a-boo is a natural way to work on eye contact and joint attention.

Here’s how: Hide the face behind the hands or a cloth, then reveal it while saying, “Peek-a-boo!” Make sure to engage the child with eye contact and wait for their reaction. This playful interaction encourages the child to look at you, promoting joint attention and shared joy in the activity.

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Practical Tips for Parents

For parents, try the following tips if you need help improving joint attention:

• Regular practice in everyday routines helps reinforce joint attention skills.
• Celebrate small successes and progress. Each step forward is a victory.
• Integrate joint attention activities into daily interactions and playtime.
• ABA therapists can provide tailored strategies and support to help the child develop joint attention skills effectively.

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Joint attention is a cornerstone of social and communication development in children. By understanding its importance and incorporating practical activities into the daily routine, you can help the child build strong foundations for future learning and interaction. Remember, every child progresses at their own pace, and persistence coupled with positive reinforcement will yield the best results.