Affect

Affect is such an important part of teaching children diagnosed with Autism. Affect is tapping into the child's interests and desires and using them to teach and build engagement. Affect builds excitement and interest for the child, keeping them motivated and interested.

Children with Autism most often have challenges with human connections and social situations and communication. We first need to be interested in what the child is interested in...if we want to somehow get them involved in our world.

We need to observe.

We need to join. Join the child in the activity that the child is interested in.

Find out what items or activities bring happiness and joy. Make note of it.

Knowing the child and what makes them happy, is what will help them to learn. If the child loves dinosaurs...then use dinosaurs to teach. If the child loves balls...then use balls to teach skills.

Embedding skills and tasks with these materials helps to keep the child motivated and having fun.

 An increase of engagement, social interactions, vocal communication, requests, imitation, eye contact and play based activities and appropriate behaviours can be achieved using affect.

Building affect into your child's day will increase your child's enjoyment and yours!