1. Transitions
Some children have problems transitioning from the booth to other activities such
as speech and the playroom, and they may tantrum and/or drop to the floor. You should
assist your child’s walking by holding their hand during transitions and making sure you
are watching them in case they attempt to run away. The icon ring is a tool that each tutor
will use to increase the likelihood of your child’s appropriate behaviors during the
transitions. Remember to make sure you have a couple of reinforcers in your belt to
reinforce appropriate transitioning every 30 seconds.
The Icon Ring
The icon ring has a picture of each transition location. When you and your child
are transitioning from the booth to other activities, you should always tell your child, “It
is time to go to the playroom (bathroom, lunch, etc.)” while you are pointing to the icon
on the ring. Bring the icon ring with you and put it in your apron or allow the child to
carry it.
When transitioning back to the booth, use the child’s icon ring to show them the
icon of the booth and tell them what you’re going to do, such as, “Lets go play with Buzz
Light-Year!” Do not say, “Let’s go back to your booth,” because some children may find
the booth and/or a procedure done in the booth aversive. This is important, especially
with children who express problems during transitions. When arriving back to the booth,
you should give the child access to one of their favorite toys such as a certain doll, game,
book, or puzzle and get the next procedure ready.
How to handle problem transitions
• Use the Icon Ring
• Make transitions fun: Transitioning is a skill that you can provide to your child.
In order to teach this skill, provide toys and praise consistently as long as your
child is walking appropriately. Make a big deal when your child walks
appropriately, and pay a lot of attention to him/her. The inappropriate behaviors
may decrease if you make walking with you more reinforcing than other
reinforcers out there.
• Use the “Reinforcer Trail”: During transitions, bring a small, preferred toy with
you that you can carry in your apron. Show the child the preferred toy and entice
them with the toy back to the booth.
NEVER PICK UP YOUR CHILD. If everything else fails, get a TA to assist you.
Do’s and Don’ts for handling transition
Do Don’t
Constantly use reinforcers outside Make chasing around a game
of the booth Allow your child to stay in other
Use what’s in your apron– that’s booths or play with toys in someone
what they are there for else’s bin
Make transition quick and fun Pull your child’s hand (your child is
fragile)
Leave your child alone in order to
ignore inappropriate behaviors
Lift your child
