• Children with autism are not typically socially motivated.
• We must then find any physical item, food, or activity that motivates them.
• Finding that item will make it easier to teach your child new skills.
• Avoid thinking that your child will become too dependent on these items. If it helps them learn, then let’s use it to teach new skills.

Two ways to find items your child likes include:

1. Watch them during their free time. During free time, put your child in a spot that has all their favorite things. If needed, you can add extra stuff your child likes in the room.

• Write down what they did during their free time.
• Write down how long they did that activity for.
• Watch out for behaviors your child engages in- this can include staring at a fan, hand flapping, rubbing their hands together, looking at the wheels of cars.

2. Grab all the items and activities your child enjoys.

• You will present two items at a time as a choice. Ask your child to “pick one.”
• You will then rotate which items you present together.
• Present each item equal amount of times.
• Write down which item your child chooses most often.
• The item your child chooses the most is his/her most preferred item.

Learning new skills can help any kid get through their day to day life.