For many children with autism, a lack of control over their environment can lead to frustration, anxiety, and challenging behaviors. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), offering choices is a powerful strategy to reduce resistance, increase cooperation, and promote independence. It may seem simple, but giving a child the opportunity to make even small decisions can have a big impact.
This article explores how and why choice-making works, the science behind it, and how parents can use it effectively in daily life.
Why Choice Matters for Children with Autism
Children with autism often experience the world as unpredictable or overwhelming. When adults constantly direct what they should do, when, and how, it can feel restrictive and lead to power struggles.
Offering choices provides:
A sense of control and autonomy
Reduced resistance and escape behaviors
Increased engagement in tasks
Better communication and self-advocacy
A foundation for decision-making skills
When used consistently, choice-making can transform daily routines from battles into collaborative experiences.
How Choice-Making Works in ABA
In ABA, offering choices is a form of antecedent strategy—a proactive approach to prevent problem behavior before it starts. By giving children a voice in what happens next, you increase their motivation and decrease the likelihood of noncompliance.
Research-Based Benefits
Studies have shown that providing choices can:
Increase task completion rates
Decrease disruptive behaviors
Improve social interaction and independence
Learn more from the IRIS Center: Choice Making Skill Sheet.
What Types of Choices Can You Offer?
You don’t need to give control over everything—just enough to empower your child without overwhelming them. Examples include:
- Activity Choices
“Do you want to play blocks or color first?”
“Would you like to do homework at the table or on the floor mat?”
- Item or Tool Choices
“Red cup or blue cup?”
“Use a pencil or a crayon?”
- Order of Activities
“Brush teeth first, then story? Or story first, then brush teeth?”
- Clothing Choices
“Do you want the dinosaur shirt or the robot shirt?”
- Break Choices
“Would you like a break with music or a sensory toy?”
The key is to offer options that are both acceptable to you, no matter what the child chooses.
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Guidelines for Offering Choices Effectively
✅ Limit the Number of Options
For younger children or those easily overwhelmed, offer just two choices. For example, “apple or banana?”
✅ Use Clear and Simple Language
Avoid complex or abstract choices. Use language your child understands.
✅ Respect Their Decision
Once a choice is made, follow through. This builds trust.
✅ Reinforce the Behavior
Praise your child for making a choice or following through with it. “Nice job choosing your shoes!”
✅ Avoid Open-Ended Questions (If Not Ready)
Asking “What do you want to do?” can cause confusion or anxiety. Instead, guide the process: “Do you want to read a book or do a puzzle?”
Using Choice in Challenging Situations
Offering choices is especially helpful during transitions or non-preferred tasks.
During Transitions
“Do you want to walk or hop to the bathroom?”
“Should we set a timer for 2 minutes or 5 minutes?”
During Non-Preferred Tasks
“Which worksheet do you want to start with?”
“Would you like to clean up toys by yourself or with help?”
You’re not removing the expectation—you’re giving control within the expectation.
Incorporating Choice into Visual Supports
Visual schedules and choice boards can help children who process information better through images:
Use pictures of preferred activities to let the child choose their break option.
Incorporate visual supports to make choice-making more concrete.
Choice-Making and Communication
Giving choices also encourages language development and expressive communication. If your child uses AAC or PECS:
Let them select icons to indicate a choice
Model the communication you want to see (“I choose puzzle”)
Choice-making is a natural and rewarding context for building communication skills.
When to Avoid Offering a Choice
There are situations where offering a choice may not be appropriate:
During a safety crisis (e.g., crossing the street)
When the child is overstimulated or overwhelmed
If the child is not developmentally ready for the options provided
Instead, return to choices once the child is calm and receptive.
Final Thoughts
Giving children choices isn’t about spoiling them—it’s about empowering them. In ABA, structured choice-making is a powerful way to reduce problem behavior, boost cooperation, and help children develop independence and communication skills.
Start small, stay consistent, and notice how your child responds when they’re given even a little more control. The difference can be transformative—for them and for you.