Attention Autism is an intervention approach by Speech and Language Therapist Gina Davies which aims to work on the early fundamentals of language including awareness of others, attention, listening, shared attention, switching attention and turn-taking. It supports all learners that are working on these specific skills, not just those diagnosed with Autism.
The format for the session works in up to 4 stages. You start children at Stage 1 and build up to all 4 stages as they progress. My class are up to 3 stages.
Stage 1: Attention Grabber / Bucket
Stage 2: Attention Builder
Stage 3: Shifting Attention / Turn Taking
In this blog I will share links to what I have included in my session this week;
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Watch FULL VIDEO of this session here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5S1BVfsCTc/?igsh=YXB3azljcGRnbG03
Stage 1
I always pick three items from the bucket that will grab my student’s interest and attention in this section.
3. Yellies Sound Reactive Spider
All of these items, the bucket and more are included here: https://www.exploreyoursenses.co.uk/attention-autism-jordans-bucket-kit.html?code=65f045c153edc
Stage 2
This section is all about supporting your students to hold attention.
This toy is so perfect for Attention Autism! It is almost as if Gina herself created it! It is perfect for visual stimualtion and asking for help to sort the shapes and colours. A great fine motor task too. This can be used as a stage 2 or 3 activity.
Purchase the TOMY UFO Shape Sorter Spinner here: https://amzn.to/3J4lIyR
Stage 3
This section is about supporting your students to shift focus from one person to another an back again. It also involves turn taking practise and waiting for your turn.
My students love Mr Crow. They select which food item they would like to hold from the objects or by choosing on the choosing board.
I say the lyrics:
Mr Crow is hungry, he is looking for some food but first he has to find it...
I think he wants a.... "food item"
I look to see if the student has noticed that they are holding the item. Then creep the puppet towards them with an open mouth and gobble up the food in their hands, given him a tickle with the puppet (if they like it.)
Mr Crow puppet: https://amzn.to/3U2SmXR
Food items: https://amzn.to/3VLRHeU
Customisable Symbols and Choice Board: https://sensoryclassroom.org/products/choice-boards
We finish our session by all signing and singing the finishing song, before I ask them to check their schedules and we move on.
Watch FULL VIDEO of this session here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5S1BVfsCTc/?igsh=YXB3azljcGRnbG03