Turn-taking in autism refers to the back-and-forth sharing of actions, communication, or attention between two people. It’s a key social skill that supports conversation, cooperation, play, and interaction with peers and adults. 

Children with autism often find turn-taking challenging due to communication and social-reciprocity differences. Early and structured practice, especially through ABA therapy, can improve these skills and support broader social learning. 

What Is Turn-Taking?

Turn-taking is the rhythm of give-and-take in communication and activities — like waiting for your turn to speak, taking turns with toys, or alternating moves in a game. It’s foundational for conversations and shared experiences in everyday life.

In neurotypical development, turn-taking begins early, often in preverbal exchanges between caregiver and child, which sets the stage for joint attention and later language skills. 

Why Turn-Taking Matters for Children with Autism

Turn-taking supports four major areas of development:

• Communication: Helps children alternate between listening and responding, a core part of conversation.
• Social Interaction: Sharing space and attention builds connections and cooperation with others. 
• Emotional Regulation: Learning to wait for a turn teaches patience and self-control. 
• Joint Attention: Early turn-taking contributes to shared focus, foundational for learning language and social cues.

Research has shown that disruptions in turn-taking and related social communication skills are common in autism and can impact peer relationships and school participation if not addressed early.

Common Challenges with Turn-Taking in Autism

Children with autism may face specific challenges with turn-taking due to:

• Impulse control differences — difficulty waiting or yielding to another person’s move. 
• Communication barriers — trouble signaling intentions or waiting for cues.
• Social timing — recognizing when one person’s turn ends and another begins.

These challenges are not deficits but reflect the natural variations in social-communication development seen in autism.

How ABA Therapy Helps Develop Turn-Taking Skills

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) uses structured, evidence-based techniques to help children learn and generalize turn-taking.

1) Modeling and Visual Supports

Therapists demonstrate turn-taking behaviors and use visual tools like timers, social cues, or cards to signal whose turn it is.

2) Prompting and Fading

Initial prompts help children respond correctly, then those supports are slowly reduced as the skill is learned.

3) Reinforcement

Immediate rewards or praise encourage repeated use of turn-taking behavior during games or conversations.

4) Structured Activities

Board games, cooperative play, and joint tasks provide natural, repeatable opportunities to practice turn-taking.

Research supports the idea that turn-taking training can be embedded in meaningful routines and is linked to improvements in joint attention and social interaction over time.

Real Experience from Practice

At Apex ABA, we see many young learners start with limited turn-taking in play or conversation. With structured ABA approaches — such as using timers, role play, and visual cues — children begin to pause, wait for prompts, and alternate turns with peers or adults. Some families report children more willing to wait their turn during play within weeks of consistent practice.

Conclusion — Your Next Step

Turn-taking in autism is more than just a rule of play — it’s a cornerstone skill that supports communication, cooperation, and relationships. With intentional, evidence-based strategies like those used in ABA therapy, children can progress in turn-taking and apply it across daily life and social settings.

To explore how personalized ABA plans can support your child’s turn-taking and broader social-communication skills, schedule a social skill development consultation with Apex ABA today. Our team builds custom strategies that fit your child’s strengths and learning pace.

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Sources:

1. https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/social-difficulties-in-autism-spectrum-disorder
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367913152_Defining_turn_taking_in_intervention_for_young_children_with_autism_A_review_of_the_literature
3. https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/taking-turns‍
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10060940/