24/05/2026
HOW PARENTS SHOULD PRIORITIZE SKILLS
Not all skills are equal—and teaching everything at once can backfire. Start with what makes the biggest daily impact.
START WITH (Foundation Skills)
These reduce frustration and improve everyday life immediately:
1. Communication
● Asking for wants/needs (even gestures or pointing)
● Saying “help,” “more,” “stop”
2. Behavior (Replacement Skills)
● Teaching what to do instead of problem behavior
(e.g., ask for a break instead of tantrum)
3. Daily Living Skills
● Eating, dressing, toileting
● Simple routines (clean up, follow basic schedule)
THEN BUILD (Learning Readiness)
4. Attention & Following Instructions
● Sitting for short periods
● Responding to name
● Following simple directions (“give,” “come here”)
5. Play Skills
● Functional play (using toys correctly)
● Independent play (even for a few minutes)
LATER DEVELOP (Advanced Skills)
6. Social Skills
● Sharing, turn-taking
● Playing with others
7. Emotional Skills
● Identifying feelings
● Coping strategies (calming down, asking for space)
Why this order matters
If a child can’t communicate or regulate behavior, teaching social skills or emotions too early often leads to:
● frustration
● more problem behaviors
● slower progress overall
You’re not skipping those skills—you’re building the foundation first.
