Natural Environment Teaching (NET) Exercises for parents of ASD children and ASD professionals

• Add new toys to a play area in the classroom
• Move preferred items/toys into a different location
• Put something silly (e.g. a stuffed animal or toy figure) somewhere it should not be (e.g. in a toy sink)

Respond to & comment on what the learner is saying/doing

• “Narrate” what the learner is doing (e.g. “Oh, I see you are building with blocks!”)
• Ask the learner questions (e.g. “What should we do next?” “Should we do X or Z? .”)
• When the learner vocalises, respond with words, even if the vocalisation is not directed at you

• Make the same sounds/words right after the learner does, and wait to see if the learner looks towards you and engages

• Do the same actions as the learner and encourage the learner to look toward you and engage

Expand on what the learner is saying/doing

• Bring toy figures into play with cars or blocks
• Add another step onto a play routine (e.g. if the learner is pretending to feed a baby, encourage the learner to feed you as well)

To keep the learner engaged following the start of an activity and expand his play level.

• Offer choices to the learner with play items and food

Follow the learner’s lead

• Get down on the same level as the learner and play with what the learner is playing with

To help the learner remain engaged and interested in the activity

Exaggerate your sounds and movements.

• Be loud and silly while playing with/working with the learner