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Title: Special Needs: Transitions

Moving From One Activity to Another

Most families have an idea about what they would like to accomplish each day. If not a written list, there is at least a mental list of objectives and an approximate time schedule for when various activities and tasks will take place. For busy families with crowded schedules, it can be very frustrating when a child has difficulty transitioning from one activity to the next.
If it�s any consolation, it is equally if not more frustrating for the child who has difficulty transitioning. These children tend to be those who become deeply involved in their play, and are so absorbed that it is extremely difficult for them to abandon what they are doing and switch to something entirely different.
When pressured to hurry up or to drop what they are doing to begin something new, these children often become emotionally agitated and may over-react. This can in turn be upsetting for the entire family, and actually uses up even more precious time as family members try to help the child regain control and comply with the transition.
In my earlier days of homeschooling, I became aware that although my son Josh tended to be highly distractible, when he was interested in an activity he was capable of hyper-focusing to the exclusion of everything else going on around him. When I would call him at the end of our allotted break time to return to the table to continue with our schoolwork, his response was pretty consistently �Just a minute� or �Hang on.� If I pushed him to respond more quickly, he would reluctantly comply but mentally his thoughts remained on the activity he had been engaged in prior to my abruptly ending it. It took several minutes before he successfully transitioned back to school activities.
Another area where difficulty transitioning often occurs is family outings. When time for departure arrives, there is often a very small margin of time in which to leave and still arrive at the destination on time. A child who struggles with transitions may react to the sense of urgency families experience when they are trying to get somewhere and are pressed for time. The child who is easily upset by changes adds to the existing stress and requires even more time and assistance to help her regulate her emotions and move on to the new activity.
Although transitions are a challenge for many children, there are practical ways to help that will benefit children and their families and alleviate some of the struggles these children experience.
To help with the switch from one activity to the next, try to give a two-minute or five-minute warning before the end of an activity. Some children have difficulty tearing themselves away from what they are enjoying and transitioning to something new. To ease that process, let them know that the change is coming and how much longer they have to continue their current activity.
When there is an event, appointment, or activity that is not part of the child�s daily routine, prepare her in advance by telling her what will occur. Coach the child on what to expect and the proper ways of responding. For older children, role-playing may be helpful so that the child can practice appropriate responses to changing activities.
Remind the child that although an activity is coming to an end and a new one will take its place, they will have the opportunity to do what they are enjoying so much on another day or at another time. Having something to look forward to helps some children leave a desired activity, knowing that they will be able to return to it at a later time.
Much of the effort in helping children to transition from one activity to the next occurs prior to the actual changes that will take place. By preparing in advance and giving the children a few minutes to adjust to the idea of the transition, parents can effectively coach their children and help them respond more calmly to changes. By doing so, the degree of frustration for children and parents can be greatly reduced and transitions will occur much more smoothly and less traumatically for all.

Ephesians 6:4 � And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

I invite you to use any articles in your publication or website. All I ask is that you notify me of its use and include the following byline with the article ...

Melinda L. Boring is a speech therapist, author, workshop presenter, speaker, wife, mother, homeschooler, and president of Heads Up! (www.HeadsUpNow.com); Her goal is to present concepts, ideas, techniques and materials to help parents and teachers who work with special needs children, especially those who struggle with ADD/ADHD.

To request an article on a specific topic or submit a question for the Q & A section, you may contact Melinda by email: info@headsupnow.com. Unless otherwise specified, all questions may be answered and posted on this website.

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