Things You'll Need:
- Patience
- Paper/pencil
- tangible reinforcers (edibles,toys)
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Step 1
First, position the child and the adult (instructor) face-to-face (eye level). Make sure that the instructor has the reinforcers ready. The reinforcers must be motivational for THAT CHILD. Remember not all children like the same things - so get this child's favorite things.
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Step 2
The instructor will say "Look at me". If the child does this immediately (even just a glance), then the instructor must immediately reward verbally and with the tangible reinforcer. If the child does not look, the instructor should gently yet firmly maneuver the child's face, so that eye contact can be established for a minimum of a glance. NOTE: eye contact is not established if the child turns his/her head to the direction of the instructor, but does not make eye contact.
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Step 3
This step is data collection. You will want to keep data on exactly what the child did in response to "Look at me". On paper, make a table with twelve columns. In the first write the date. The next ten columns will represent the number of times that you attempted to get eye contact(these are called "trials"). If the child looks at your eyes immediately, then mark the second data column(the first was the date) with a "+", if you had to prompt the child, then mark it with a "P" (for prompt). Continue with steps 1,2, and 3 for ten trials.
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Step 4
The criterion for moving on to the next step would be 80-90% across two sittings. The child has to look at you 8 or nine times when you sit and do these trials 10 in a row.
When you are ready to move on, the next step would be to have the child look at you in response to "Look at me" for a minimum of 1 second. Remember to record your data. When criterion is met move on to two seconds, then 3-5. -
Step 5
After the child has established eye contact for 3-5 seconds on demand when sitting face to face, then you can move on to sitting approximately 3 feet away. Then move on to across the room; move to a different room; try it when the child is engaged in an activity (eating, playing with a fun toy, bathing, watching television); then have another person try it (they should expect the child to do a lesser step with a new person than the continuous instructor for the first few trials).
Comments
tracie65 said
on 2/24/2008 Great article! I have a nephew with autism so this is going to be very helpful. Can't wait to try it.
monalisamyheart said
on 2/11/2008 Very nice article! A bit wordy, but this was helpful for me as someone who hasn't had any experience with an austistic child.
luv2laugh said
on 2/10/2008 I also want to add that there is more than one way to achieve something and many parents and families have achieved success through the method above.
I also suggest that when it comes to making eye contact there are other ways which may also enable the child to find joy in personal relationships and interaction, which for some kiddos with Autism is a major goal.
luv2laugh said
on 2/9/2008 I have to say, although this may be effective in "training" kids with Autism to look at someone in the face. A much more effective method would be to actually motivate the child to find pleasure in personal interactions such as making eye contact and smiling.
Ways to this would be also to find toys/activities which motivivate the child and to put yourself at eye level and share in their enjoyment. For example, if he/she is playing by himself with blocks. Make yourself part of the interaction by handing the child the block, putting the block on top, making a joke by picking the wrong color block, or holding your hand up to your face with the block and slowly opening it and giving it to them. One would be surprised how quickly a child with Autism can learn that making relationships and "eye contact" is rewarding in itself.
JulieFletcher said
on 2/9/2008 This is great. My child is High Functioning, so I do not have as huge problem getting her to look at me, it's the keeping her focused. I'll try your suggestions to see if I can find more progress. Thanks!