When Child Grabs Things Instead of Asking: Teaching How to Request

An autistic child may grab something they want because asking is difficult, they are excited, they fear the item will disappear, or grabbing has worked before. Rather than focusing only on stopping the grabbing, teach a communication response your child can use instead. Depending on how your child communicates, that might be a spoken word, sign, picture, gesture, or communication device. Prompt the request, respond to successful communication when possible, and practice frequently during calm everyday situations. The goal is not simply “use your words,” but helping your child discover a reliable way to communicate what they want.