Attention Autism Program - A highly effective way to encourage engagement

The Importance of the Attention Autism Program
In today’s world, inclusive education and therapy play a crucial role in supporting autistic children. One highly regarded approach that has proven effective in enhancing engagement and communication skills is the Attention Autism Program. Developed by Gina Davies, this program aims to build attention, social interaction, and spontaneous communication in a structured yet fun environment. By incorporating carefully designed activities, it creates a learning experience that is both stimulating and accessible for children on the autism spectrum.

Understanding the Attention Autism Program
The Attention Autism Program consists of four key stages designed to capture and sustain a child’s attention:

1. The Bucket/Box – A collection of visually stimulating objects and activities are introduced to draw children into a shared experience.
2. Attention Builder – A visually engaging activity is demonstrated to promote focus and anticipation.
3. Interactive Game – Children participate in simple, turn-taking activities to encourage engagement.
4. Independent Work – Children work on related tasks independently, reinforcing the skills learned.

This structured approach helps children develop essential skills, including sustained attention, emotional regulation, and communication. The program is widely used in schools and therapy settings, as it provides a foundation for learning in a way that is enjoyable and pressure-free.

The importance of a quality Autism Kit for Engagement
The first step is to find an item that engages the individual and then build on this engagement, because each person is has unique individual preferences, the aim of this kit is to have something in the kit that resonates with the individual. Once engagement is established this helps to build communication.

Engagement can be the hardest step, hence the reason this kit is filled with so many different products! 

With this group of individuals it can be simplest, quirkiest or even the most unexpected item that draws them in.

Aine draws from her experience as a mom to her autistic daughter Ailis and the 20 years she has spent resourcing products to build this kit.  She understands what is likely to engage the autistic child and has included these. Each Kit has been assembled with great consideration which includes:

Light-Based Toys for visual stimulation
Textured Objects for different tactile experience
Sound-Producing Items for those aligned to auditory feedback
Vibration Tools to calm sensory input
Arts and Crafts for soothing creative play

If you are interested in finding out more about the attention autism program and the training available for parents, teachers and therapists, click here.