How to Teach Pedestrian Skills to Children with Autism

Individuals with autism navigate the world differently; this means that some things that we believe to be intrinsic knowledge for them are not so innate, and they need extra help and support to understand the skill or anything you want to teach them. In this case, learning pedestrian skills is not just about teaching them to cross the street; it should be a step-by-step process so they can also recognize the risks.

Here are some practical ways to help children with autism learn to navigate streets safely:

1. Break Down the Process into Simple Steps

Children with autism often learn best when educators break complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. When teaching pedestrian skills, instructors should follow a straightforward, step-by-step process:

• Stop at the curb
• Look left, right, and left again
• Wait for a clear gap in traffic
• Cross while staying alert and walking at a steady pace

2. Use Visual Supports and Social Stories

Visual cues, such as pictures, videos, or written instructions, can reinforce learning. Social stories—short, personalized narratives that describe a situation and appropriate responses—can help children understand pedestrian scenarios in a relatable way.

3. Practice in Safe, Controlled Environments

Before stepping onto a real street, practice pedestrian behaviors in a controlled environment. This process could be a quiet parking lot, a schoolyard, or a simulated street setup at home. Gradually introduce real-world practice once the child becomes comfortable with each step.

4. Utilize Role-Playing and Modeling

Children often learn by observing and imitating others. Parents, caregivers, and therapists can model safe pedestrian behaviors by walking with children and verbalizing each step of the process. Role-playing scenarios at home can also reinforce learning.

5. Use Technology and Interactive Tools

Some children respond well to technology-based learning. Pedestrian safety apps, interactive videos, and virtual reality simulations can reinforce concepts in an engaging and controlled manner.

6. Implement ABA Therapy Techniques

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a highly effective approach for teaching pedestrian skills to children with autism. ABA therapy breaks down complex behaviors into smaller, teachable components and reinforces correct responses through repetition and rewards. Therapists can use prompting, reinforcement, and gradual exposure to help children learn and retain pedestrian safety skills.

The study “Teaching Pedestrian Safety Skills to a Child With Autism Who Exhibited Dangerous Behavior in the Street” focused on teaching pedestrian safety skills to individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly a 10-year-old boy with autism who exhibited dangerous behaviors in the street, such as walking in the middle of the road and running in front of cars. The study found that using a response-cost procedure (where tokens were lost for unsafe behavior) immediately reduced the boy’s dangerous actions in the street.