Turn-Taking Strategies for Autism Support

Key Points:

• Turn-taking is a fundamental social skill that can be challenging for children with autism due to communication and processing differences.
• Structured strategies, such as visual supports and social stories, can help teach turn-taking effectively.
• ABA therapy provides evidence-based techniques to improve turn-taking and social engagement.

Sharing, waiting, and taking turns—these everyday interactions can be overwhelming for children with autism. When waiting feels frustrating, and turn-taking isn’t instinctive, social situations become stressful. But with structured support, visual cues, and practice, children can develop turn-taking skills that make communication, play, and group activities more enjoyable.

Is Turn-taking Difficult for Children With Autism?

Yes, many children with autism struggle with turn-taking because it involves social awareness, communication, and patience. Difficulty understanding social cues, processing delays, and a preference for routine can make it challenging for children with autism to wait their turn in conversations, games, or group activities.

However, turn-taking is a skill that can be taught and reinforced. By using structured supports, such as visual aids, timers, and modeled interactions, children with autism can learn how to participate in reciprocal exchanges. With the right strategies, turn-taking can become a more natural part of their social interactions.

Why is Turn-taking Important for Children With Autism?

Turn-taking is a critical part of communication and social interaction. Whether in conversations, play, or classroom settings, being able to wait, respond, and engage in shared experiences helps children with autism build relationships and navigate social environments.

Several benefits of teaching turn-taking include:

• Improved Social Communication – Turn-taking is essential for conversations, helping children with autism engage meaningfully with others.
• Reduced Frustration – Understanding when and how to take turns can decrease frustration and improve cooperation in social settings.
• Increased Peer Interaction – Playdates, classroom activities, and group games all require turn-taking. Mastering this skill allows children to participate more fully with peers.
• Enhanced Emotional Regulation – Learning to wait and share space with others helps children develop patience and impulse control.

What Challenges Do Children With Autism Face in Turn-taking?

Turn-taking can be difficult for children with autism due to differences in social communication, sensory processing, and executive functioning. Some common challenges include:

1. Difficulty Understanding Social Cues

Children with autism may struggle to recognize when it’s their turn or when someone else is speaking. They might interrupt frequently or remain silent, unsure of when to respond.

2. Trouble with Impulse Control

Waiting can be challenging, especially in activities that involve excitement or competition. Some children may take extra turns, while others may disengage if they don’t get to go first.

3. Rigid Thinking and Routine Preference

Many children with autism prefer predictability. If turn-taking is not explicitly structured, they may resist participation or become upset when the routine changes.

4. Limited Verbal Communication

For children with limited speech or alternative communication methods, taking turns in conversation or play can be especially challenging. They may not have the tools to signal when they are ready to engage.

How Can Parents and Teachers Teach Turn-taking in Autism?

Teaching turn-taking requires patience, consistency, and structured support. The following strategies can help children with autism develop this essential skill.

1. Use Visual Supports

Children with autism often respond well to visual cues. Visual supports can help clarify when it’s their turn and what to expect.

• Turn-taking boards – A simple board showing whose turn it is can help children anticipate and prepare.
• Timers – A visual or auditory timer can set a clear expectation for when their turn will come.
• First-Then Charts – These can outline when the child will have a turn and what comes next.

2. Model Turn-Taking in Daily Activities

Explicitly modeling turn-taking in everyday situations helps children understand how it works.

• Take turns stirring when cooking together.
• Alternate pushing a swing during playtime.
• Use turn-taking language, such as “My turn,” “Your turn,” or “Now it’s your turn to talk.”

3. Introduce Social Stories and Role-Playing

Social stories provide simple, clear explanations of turn-taking, helping children understand expectations. Role-playing allows children to practice in a structured, low-pressure environment.

• Read a short story that explains why and how to take turns.
• Act out turn-taking scenarios with toys or puppets.
• Practice with siblings or peers in a guided setting.

4. Use Structured Games to Practice

Board games, interactive apps, and cooperative activities are great ways to reinforce turn-taking in a fun, low-stress way.

• Board Games – Games like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders provide a clear turn-taking structure.
• Building Activities – Stacking blocks or taking turns adding pieces to a puzzle encourages patience.
• Interactive Apps – Some apps are designed specifically to teach social skills, including turn-taking.

5. Provide Immediate and Clear Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement encourages children to practice turn-taking. Praise and rewards should be specific and immediate.

• Verbal praise – “Great job waiting for your turn!”
• Token systems – Earning tokens for successful turns can increase motivation.‍
• Preferred activities – Allowing access to a favorite activity after successful turn-taking can reinforce learning.

How Can ABA Therapy Support Turn-taking in Autism

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provides structured, evidence-based strategies to teach turn-taking. ABA therapy breaks down social skills into manageable steps, reinforcing positive behaviors and reducing frustration.

ABA techniques that support turn-taking include:

Help Your Child Develop Social Skills with ABA Therapy

Turn-taking is an essential life skill, helping children with autism navigate social interactions with confidence. If your child struggles with waiting, sharing, or understanding social cues, ABA therapy can provide structured support to strengthen these skills. Through consistent reinforcement, individualized strategies, and engaging activities, children learn how to take turns, cooperate with peers, and build meaningful relationships.

At Attentive Autism Care, we specialize in supporting children through evidence-based interventions that foster real-world social success. If you’re looking for expert support in teaching turn-taking and other social skills with ABA therapy in Utah, Colorado, North Carolina, Maryland, New Mexico, and Nebraska, contact us today. Let’s work together to help your child thrive in social interactions and beyond.