31 Seven Ways to Teach Joint Attention Skills

Seven Ways To Teach Joint Attention Skills

By Speech Therapy Teacher

Joint attention is the ability to share attention with others, which is an important social skill that allows individuals to communicate and connect with others. Teaching joint attention skills can be helpful for individuals with developmental delays or social communication difficulties, such as those on the autism spectrum.

Here are some strategies for teaching joint attention skills:

Use eye contact: Eye contact is a critical component of joint attention. Encourage eye contact by getting down to the child's eye level and making eye contact when speaking to them.

Use gestures: Pointing, reaching, and other gestures can help draw the child's attention to objects or people in the environment.

Follow the child's interests: Pay attention to the child's interests and use them as a way to engage them in joint attention. For example, if the child is interested in a toy, pick up the toy and use it as a way to engage in joint attention.

Use verbal cues: Verbal cues, such as saying the child's name, can help draw their attention to you or to an object in the environment.

Use visual supports: Visual supports, such as pictures or photographs, can be helpful in drawing the child's attention to a specific object or activity.

Practice turn-taking: Encourage the child to take turns with you in looking at objects or engaging in activities.

Use social stories: Social stories can be a helpful way to teach joint attention skills in a structured and predictable way.

Remember, teaching joint attention skills takes time and patience. Be consistent in your approach, and celebrate small successes along the way.