TEACCH At Home:
Eye Contact



Goal:  Your child will learn how to make eye contact when his or her name is called.

Materials:  None.

Stimuli:  Say "________(child's name)"
 

Step 1:  Your child will make eye contact with full physical prompts and the verbal prompt, "_________(child's name), look at me."

Step 2:  Your child will make eye contact with partial physical prompts and the verbal prompt, "_________(name), look at me."

Step 3:  Your child will make eye contact with the verbal prompt, "________(name), look at me."

Step 4:  Your child will make eye contact with the verbal prompt, "_______(name), look."

Step 5:  Your child will make eye contact with the verbal prompt, "______(name)."
 

In addition, or as an alternative, it will be helpful to set aside a 10 minute period each day (preferably at the same time, such as after a rest) to encourage the child to use expressive eye communication.  Choose an activity the child enjoys and that requires another person (such as tossing him into the air, or pushing her on a swing.) At first, stop the activity, try to make eye contact and ask "______(name), look at me."  Be sure to reward the child immediately with a continuance of the fun activity the second the child makes eye contact.  At first you may be the one who moves into his or her line of vision to give eye contact, but as the child comes to expect the activity, require more on his or her part (full eye contact) for it to continue.  We would like your child to learn that giving eye contact is a way to communicate the desire to continue an activity.
 

Return to TEACCH At Home Menu

All rights reserved. Updated November 2, 1999. Homeschooling Kids With Disabilities https://www.members.tripod.com/~Maaja/index.html