There are many reasons why a parent of a child with autism will need and want to teach sequential steps. Even a small child can and will find it useful now and later. Sequential steps are useful in cause and effect, in decision making, and in the give and take of everyday life.

When our children turn on the light switch, the light turns on. Very quickly they can learn that concept. If I do this, then that happens. This cause and effect is important in teaching our children to use technology like computers.

It is also important in teaching some children to use a communication device. Essentially, some children with autism learn that if I press this button, this word or phrase or sentence will appear. They can also learn that if I have a lot of buttons I can ‘say’ a lot of words, phrases or sentences.

Kids using another piece of technology can learn that if I push these buttons, this will happen. So if I’m using a computer or a label maker, if I press the correct sequence of buttons, I’ll be able to see a game or label.

This is very calming for children with autism and can be used in a number of ways. It can be used to teach new skills or even help control behavior. So let’s take the concept to the give and take of everyday life.

Children with autism can be taught steps. They can be taught a sequence of steps. You can teach them a sequence of steps and they will get a result. Many social skills start with a series of steps.

There are steps to say sorry. There are steps to join a conversation. There are steps to ask someone to be a friend. There are even more complicated steps to troubleshoot

Children with autism can and will learn these steps if parents do it thoughtfully. Parents can buy books that discuss those social skills that we seemed to learn automatically. We can also provide a safe place in the family to start practicing those steps. Those sequential steps are really helpful in helping a child with autism understand social situations.