Attending skills are typically some of the first addressed in an educational program for children with autism. Teaching a child to attend to the teacher, to come willingly to a session of work or play, and to ready his body for instruction can go a long way to making teaching easier and more effective.

• Readying Self for Table Work
• Readying Self for Instruction
• Attending Jointly with Another

Readying Self for Table Work

• Sitting in a chair when requested
• Sitting at the table when requested

Readying Self for Instruction

• Making eye contact in response to name
• Making eye contact in response to "Look at me" at the table
• Placing hands in lap when requested
• Making eye contact in response to name from a distance
• Making eye contact in response to "Look at me" from a distance
• Making eye contact in response to name during a teaching activity
• Making eye contact in response to name during free play
• Saying, "What?" in response to name
• Making eye contact during group instruction

Attending Jointly with Another

• Attending to a nearby object/event jointly with an adult
• Attending to a distant object/event jointly with an adult
• Attending to a nearby object/event jointly with a peer
• Attending to a distant object/event jointly with a peer