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Joint Attention, what is it? why is it important? and, how can we build social engagement and motivation to get kids with autism to WANT to be around us. These are all great questions that i’m bringing you answers for.
Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Jamie Hughes-Lika, a fellow Board Certified Behavior Analyst, to discuss strategies for enhancing joint attention, social engagement and motivation in children with autism. Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge to the field, and our conversation touched on practical techniques that parents and professionals can use to support autistic children. Here, I’ll share the insights and strategies we discussed that you can start implementing and connecting with you child or clients with autism right away.
Social motivation and attention are foundational for learning and communication, especially for children on the autism spectrum.
Jamie and I discussed how these areas can look different in children with autism. Whereas typically developing children naturally orient towards people, autistic children may instead focus on objects or sensory experiences. One of the first signs of speech delay for Jamie’s son was his sticky attention to toys vs. people. By understanding and supporting these differences, we can help children connect with the world around them.
Jamie emphasized that early intervention is essential. As soon as we notice any social differences, it’s important to step in with positive strategies that encourage engagement.
These early efforts can make a significant difference in a child’s ability to interact with others over time.
Joint attention—when a child shares a focus with another person on an object or activity—is a crucial skill.
This can be as simple as a child pointing to a plane in the sky and looking at you to share the moment. When children with autism struggle with joint attention, they miss out on learning opportunities. Without this skill, they might not notice or imitate others, which is how children naturally learn.
When Jamie began noticing signs of social differences in her son Liam, she immediately set out to support his development of joint attention.
We discussed strategies to encourage this skill, such as starting with face-to-face activities like peekaboo and gradually moving to activities that involve objects, like playing with toy cars or blocks. The idea is to make these shared experiences enjoyable and reinforcing. Instead of sitting down with a child and asking a lot of questions, join in, add things to their line up, spin wheels together, whatever they like…join in!
Every child is unique, and we have to meet them where they are. Here are some strategies Jamie and I discussed to foster social engagement and joint attention in children with autism:
One of the most important things you can do is observe what the child is interested in and join them in that activity. If they’re fascinated by cars, get down on the floor and play alongside them. You might start by rolling a car next to theirs or making car sounds. The goal is to be a play partner rather than a director. By following their lead, you show them that their interests matter, which can help build trust and engagement.
Children are naturally drawn to animated, engaging interactions. I often recommend getting on the child’s level and using facial expressions, gestures, and varied tones of voice to capture their attention. Jamie shared how she often joins Liam on the floor, and if he’s lying down while playing, she does the same. By physically positioning yourself at their eye level, you become more accessible and approachable, making it easier for them to engage with you.
Jamie and I both agree that you don’t need fancy toys to engage a child. Household items like Tupperware, blankets, and even laundry baskets can become powerful tools for connection. For example, you can turn Tupperware containers into drums, stack them into towers, or fill them with beans or other items for a sensory experience. The novelty of using everyday items in unexpected ways can capture a child’s interest and create opportunities for joint attention.
Imitation is a building block of learning for children. If a child is spinning a toy, you can spin one too and then add a small variation, like rolling it back and forth. Children learn by watching and copying, so imitating their actions can naturally draw their attention to you and encourage them to engage. Jamie and I discussed how even small actions, like mirroring a child’s sounds or gestures, can help build a connection.
Incorporating structured play at a table can help focus a child’s attention. By creating a distraction-free environment, you can make it easier for them to engage with the activity at hand. Table time doesn’t have to be rigid or feel like “work.” Instead, it can be a fun way to work on specific skills in a controlled setting. I often use table time to practice activities like sorting objects or playing with puzzles, and I incorporate plenty of praise and encouragement to make it a positive experience. I also teach all my online course participants how they can build positive table time experiences.
Jamie and I also talked about social motivation, which is the desire to interact with others. Some children with autism might be more interested in objects than people. By finding ways to make social interactions rewarding, we can increase their motivation to engage.
A concept we discussed was breaking social motivation into three components: social orienting, social seeking, and social maintaining.
Social orienting involves the child responding to us, social seeking is when they approach or initiate with us, and social maintaining is when they engage in back-and-forth interactions.
By identifying which of these areas a child struggles with, we can tailor our strategies to support their unique needs.
Pay attention to what activities capture the child’s attention. Are they fascinated by spinning objects? Do they love making things go “vroom vroom”? These interests provide a starting point for interaction. Jamie and I emphasized the importance of meeting the child where they are and using their interests as a way to connect. Join in on what they find fun!
When the child engages with you, even in a small way, reinforce that behavior with praise, a favorite toy, or another reward. Positive reinforcement encourages them to repeat the behavior and helps build their motivation to engage. For instance, if they look at you while playing, offer a big smile and say, “Great job looking at me!”, make a silly face, or do something that will make the interaction positive for the child. Small moments of engagement can add up over time.
Communication isn’t just about words—it’s also about gestures, facial expressions, and body language. By focusing on these nonverbal skills, you can help the child learn to communicate in various ways. Jamie and I discussed how imitation activities, like clapping or waving, can help children develop these foundational skills, which often precede verbal communication. If a child can imitate you, they can learn many other skills too!
Supporting a child with autism is a journey, and progress can be slow. It’s essential to celebrate small victories, like a moment of eye contact or a shared smile. Jamie shared how rewarding it can be to see even the smallest steps forward, and I completely agree. These moments remind us that our efforts are making a difference.
One of the highlights of our conversation was Jamie’s idea of using common household items to engage children. She even shared a handout with ideas for 20 household items that can encourage play. Here are a few examples:
Laundry Baskets: Use them for pretend play. Turn them into a car or a boat, and go on “adventures” together. This can help build joint attention and social engagement as you share the experience.
Pillows and Blankets: Create a cozy fort or play hide-and-seek. This can help the child become more comfortable with shared activities and physical closeness.
Tupperware and Containers: Fill them with different textures or sounds, like beans or bells, and explore them together. You can even use them to practice concepts like stacking, dumping, or sorting.
These everyday items are accessible, inexpensive, and versatile, making them perfect for engaging children at home. Jamie provided us with a great handout that you can use around the house to build joint attention and motivation with a child with autism.
In our conversation, Jamie and I emphasized the importance of connection over correction. We’re not trying to “fix” our children; we’re trying to meet them where they are and build on their strengths. By focusing on social engagement and motivation, we can create a foundation for learning that respects the child’s individuality and supports their unique developmental path.
As a parent myself, I understand how challenging it can be to support joint attention skills in child with autism. It takes patience, creativity, and a lot of love. Remember, you don’t have to do everything perfectly. Small steps add up, and every moment of connection counts. Jamie and I both believe that by fostering social engagement, we can help our children build the skills they need to navigate the world with confidence. If you feel like you need more help, sign up for a free one hour workshop
If you’re a professional working with children with autism, consider incorporating some of these strategies into your practice. Use positive reinforcement, follow the child’s lead, and be mindful of their interests and comfort level. Remember, your role is to be a supportive play partner, not a director. By building a strong foundation of trust and connection, you can help your clients develop essential social skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
My conversation with Dr. Jamie Hughes-Lika reinforced the importance of early intervention, social motivation, and joint attention in supporting children with autism. By using practical, everyday strategies, we can make a real difference in their lives
Joint attention is the shared focus between a child and another person on an object or event. It’s crucial for social and language development, as it helps children learn from others and participate in shared experiences. For children with autism, joint attention can be challenging, but supporting this skill can significantly improve their social engagement and communication abilities.
You can encourage joint attention by following your child’s lead and joining in on activities that interest them. For example, if they’re playing with toy cars, get down on their level and engage with the cars alongside them. Simple activities like pointing to objects together, playing peekaboo, or reading picture books can also help foster joint attention.
Social motivation refers to a child’s desire to engage and interact with others. You can increase it by making social interactions enjoyable and rewarding. Use positive reinforcement when your child makes eye contact, responds to you, or initiates interaction. Engaging in activities they enjoy and joining them at their level can also help make social interactions more appealing.
Key strategies include:
Progress can be seen in small steps, such as increased eye contact, initiating interactions, or staying engaged in an activity for longer periods. Celebrating these small wins and noting changes in how they interact with you or others over time are good indicators. You may also observe that they start to share their focus on objects with you more frequently or seek you out to show something interesting.
Dr. Hughes-Lika holds certifications as a BCBA-D, a licensed behavior analyst, and an International behavior analyst. With over 28 years of experience, she specializes in providing evidence-based services for young children with ASD, focusing on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) for infants and toddlers. As an Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) certified therapist and trainer, she shares her expertise through presentations at national and international conferences, and her research is published in peer-reviewed journals. Currently, she serves as the founder of SAGE Learning Systems, crafting specialized online courses, resources, and a NDBI professional development membership to empower professionals in making meaningful impacts in the lives of autistic children.
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