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;
*The links below are affiliate links, it means I get paid a commission for sharing, it is costs you no more. Win Win. Thank you! This helps support sharing so much information for free on my blog and social media accounts.
Watch FULL VIDEO of this session here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5X_M4uMYYD/
Stage 1
I always pick three items from the bucket that will grab my student’s interest and attention in this section.
1. Pop Eye Frog
2. Wind Up Penguin
3. Pop Tube Giraffe
All of these items, the bucket and more are included here: https://www.exploreyoursenses.co.uk/attention-autism-jordans-bucket-kit-1.html?code=65f045c153edc
Stage 2
This section is all about supporting your students to hold attention.
The rice drum is such a simple and cheap tool and children really do love it! Simple pour dry rice onto the biggest drum you can find and use a beater to bounce the rice off of the drum. You can change rhythm and volume as you go.
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.
This is another super simple and cheap activity.
Grab a weighted blanket, gym mat or blanket, lay it out flat on the floor. The child lays on their backs on one side edge of the blanket. You roll them up as you sing...
(wheels on the bus tune) This is the way we roll you up, roll you up, roll you up, this is the way we roll you up, like a sausage roll.... this is the way we roll you back roll you back roll you back, this is the way we roll you back, like a sausage roll.
You can give your child a squeeze or tickle if they like it after each verse.
They can then ask for 'more' or their turn has finished and it is someone else's turn.
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/p/C5X_M4uMYYD/