Supporting Learners Through Predictable Transitions
Hi there! How are you? It’s so nice to see you here!
OUR TOPIC THIS QUARTER
Our topic this quarter gets us ready for the rise of spring and the start of summer fun in my neck of the woods. If you’re in the part of the world where the seasons are changing spring to summer, or if you’re in a season of life where you’re getting ready for a trip, preparing for upcoming changes and transitions - this is for you.
April - Predictable Transitions
This month, our focus is on transitions, specifically supporting our learners when predictable transitions are on the horizon.
What are “Predictable Transitions”?
Predictable is comfortable - they are things we know ahead of time that we can prepare for. Predictable transitions are what we know is coming up such as:
Moving between activities (e.g. playtime to mealtime or playtime to bedtime)
Parties
Holidays
Vacations
Predictable transitions have a rhythm all their own, one we are familiar with or at least have somewhat of an understanding for what the activity entails. Even if its our first time going to a location (for example a vacation to a new location) you have a general idea of what will happen with traveling and arriving to the destination.
If you followed along with us during quarter 1, then you know we talked a lot about building routines for your learner and how to support your learning in building some of those foundational routines through different types of prompting and fading of prompts.
If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, take a peek at:
Does planning ahead really work?
I get asked this question often, followed quickly by “I just don’t have the time to plan right now for that.” And look, I get it! But a little bit of prep can go a long way.
Planning ahead gets a bad rap sometimes. If you enjoy planning like I do then maybe it comes easier than for those of you where planning feels a chore. Truthfully, do I LOVE to plan all the time - NO - but when I do set up a solid foundation and build in supports, it helps tremendously to make the execution of the rhythm and routine I’m going into flow so much better.
Here’s an example: You’re heading out of the house to go to work.
Scenario 1: You know you have to travel 35 minutes, the weather will be cool with a chance of rain so you packed a coat and made sure to put gas in your car beforehand (or planned extra time to get gas before work) because your gas light went on while driving home. You made sure to wear something on your feet you didn’t care about getting wet because you knew you had to walk from the car to your building from the parking lot, probably in the rain. You arrive to your first meeting with time to spare, take off your coat and sit down to begin the day.
Scenario 2: You know you have to travel 35 minutes and walked out of the house with your favorite outfit on ready to conquer the day. You didn't realize you needed gas and have to make the decision to stop on the way to work, knowing you’ll probably be 10 minutes late now. You also didn’t look at the weather and quickly realized it was too cool for what you wore and the sky looks like it will open up and rain soon. You don’t have an umbrella or coat and to top it off you have to walk from your car in the parking lot to your building. You arrive to your first meeting of the day in your favorite outfit, yes, but you’re soaked to the bone.
Which would you prefer?
When you plan ahead with information you know, your transition from one thing to the next allows for a smoother experience. Notice how I didn’t say easier, I said smoother. Planning doesn’t always lend itself to be easier, but it sure helps make things feel a lot less clunky with all of the tools in your tool belt ready to go.
Create your transition toolbox
Much like building a structure or working on a project, you wouldn’t start without the necessary tools. The same rules apply for you in this situation. You want to have a “toolbox” filled with strategies and go-to items that provide your learner with support when things pop up. Items in this tool box can be:
Self regulation strategies (pictures, breathing techniques, etc.)
Sensory tools
Visuals (pictures or words) to describe the transition steps (e.g. first/then visuals)
Preferred items
Choice boards
A way for your learner to communicate (if using an AAC or PECS have it with you)
You may also lean into the level of support your learner needs using the type of prompt they can be most successful with from you.
3 Steps for a Predictable Transition
Planning ahead allows you to look at the bigger picture and have an idea of what tools you may need in your tool belt to support your learner in what’s coming next. There's lots of ways to build in supports and plan for transitions so let’s break that down.
Step 1: Identify what you’ll be transitioning between
Knowing what activities or locations you’re transitioning between helps plan ahead and identify the following:
Is the transition in one or more locations?
Is the location or activity familiar?
Are there certain activities or locations your learner does better transitioning between?
Are there certain activities or locations your learner struggles transitioning between?
Step 2: Know what your learner has the most and least success with during transitions
What stands out for you with your learner and transitions? Ask yourself the following:
What behaviors occur most?
Do transitions take a lot of time to complete?
Does your learner need reminders before the transition?
Does your learner need a certain object to hold during transitions?
Step 3: What is your transition style?
We lay a foundation for our learners. When we think of a transition, it’s a good idea to notice how we transition between activities and locations. Our transition style might vary greatly from our learner’s transition style. Think about the following:
Do you move and speak quickly (think “go, go, go!”)?
Do you have everything ready in advance and move around with ease?
Are you an early bird or more fashionably late (or somewhere in the middle)?
What do you do if the plan fails?
Earlier I mentioned planning ahead doesn’t make things necessarily go “easier” but it does certainly help with making things run more smoothly. Why you ask? Because sometimes, our best laid plans fail.
If a plan and all of the supports in the world don’t work, what do you do??
Throw in the towel?
Stamp your feet?
Scream to the sky?
All of the above?
I’m sure you’re probably saying “well isn’t this exactly what you’re trying to teach us and now you’re saying it could fail?” Why yes, yes I am, because as much as I love a well laid plan I know that plans aren’t perfect so we can’t think that just because we have everything we need it’s going to be perfect.
Instead, I’m here to tell you if it all fails and all fall apart this is where you lean into taking a moment to sit, observe and reflect.
Sometimes when you stop to take a look at how things are REALLY going when you’re in the thick of a plan falling apart, you’re going to get a really solid idea for why but also what you can do next time.
And if or when it falls apart, be gentle on yourself. You can try again. Let me repeat -
You. Can. Try. Again.
Failing and falling apart doesn’t mean every time. It means once.
Take the experience as a learning opportunity to examine what exactly you can do differently in the future.
Learn from the experience and be ready for the next time with new ways to approach it. If you’re going to fail, always fail forward.
If you’re wondering what to do and want to collaborate on sustainable strategies to support your learner at home and beyond, let’s chat over a coffee break together and build something for your learner, together!
Make sure you’re following along on Instagram @coffeemugsandclipboards as we bring this quarter’s content to life!
