Fact-checked by Vincenza De Falco, Autism & Learning Disabilities Specialist Coach<\/a><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
There are certain prerequisites to telling time. You cannot expect a child to learn to say to the time if they don\u2019t have the following skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research<\/a> suggests that tracking time can be challenging for children with autism. Here are a few tips that can help you teach an autistic child to read the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you can teach an autistic child to read<\/a> the time, they must understand the concept of the passage of time. Please ensure they are familiar with terms like day, night, morning, noon, and evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your ultimate goal is to teach the autistic child to read an analog clock, it is advisable to start there. While it is easier for children with autism to read digital clocks, they shouldn\u2019t be your first choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning to tell the time from an analog clock is an essential life skill that your child must learn, depending on the level of functionality.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start by teaching the correct vocabulary related to time. You can invest in children-friendly books<\/a> with loads of pictures and images or make a trip to the library to get the right books to teach your autistic child about the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also find various mobile apps and online resources<\/a> to help autistic children learn and grow. Some time-related terms that you must teach your child include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are multiple ways to promote language development<\/a> in autistic children. You can use any of these to help your child learn time-related vocabulary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To tell the time correctly, your autistic child must be able to identify the different hands of the clock. So start with teaching what each hand represents:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once your child knows what each hand represents, it\u2019s time to teach them how to tell time. Start by explaining how to read time from one hand at a time. For instance, please start with the shorthand and teach them how to tell the hour. Next, you can move on to minutes, eventually introducing terms like half and quarter, and so on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind that teaching an autistic child to tell time is a long process that will take time. It is important that you teach one thing at a time, which is why it is best to break down the process into multiple steps<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an important tip you must always keep in mind. Children with autism tend to take words literally. So, phrases like \u201cit\u2019ll just take a second\u201d and \u201cwait a minute\u201d can easily lead to confusion. This is why it is advisable to avoid using figurative expressions around autistic children, especially if you plan to introduce them to the concept of time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never underestimate the power of visual aids when teaching a new concept to children with autism. Try to get your hands on easy-to-use visual aids to teach autistic<\/a> children to tell time. You can use photographs, line drawings, stickers, and storybooks, or even invest in language builder picture cards<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children with autism may be under or over-sensitive to stimuli. So, when teaching them something new, like telling time, it is essential to consider sensory issues to create a stress-free environment where they can learn without distractions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, make sure you choose the right props. For instance, you may want to avoid using clocks with complex patterns or glaring colors as some autistic children may find them distracting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know how to teach an autistic child to tell time, you are ready to teach your child one of the most important life skills. Remember that every child is different and learns at their own pace. Perseverance is the key here, as teaching autistic children to tell time can be a long-term project!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teaching Multiplication To Autistic Students (With Worksheets)<\/a>👩🏫<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n