Many young children struggle with waiting, especially those with developmental delays or autism. If your child has difficulty waiting—for food, attention, turn-taking, or preferred activities—you’re not alone. Waiting is a complex skill that requires patience, communication, and emotional regulation, and like many life skills, it can be taught gradually and with support.

At our clinic, we help children learn to wait by starting with very short periods and building up slowly over time. For example, we might begin by asking the child to wait just one or two seconds before getting something they want, and then immediately reinforce their effort with praise or a preferred item.

Using visual supports like a “wait” card, a timer, or a countdown can also make the concept of waiting more concrete and easier to understand. During these early stages, it’s important to stay consistent and calm—acknowledge your child’s desire, but gently reinforce the expectation that they wait. Practicing waiting during games, turn-taking, or daily routines (like waiting for a snack to be opened) creates natural learning opportunities.

Over time, children begin to understand that waiting doesn’t mean “no,” it just means “not yet”—and that good things still happen if they stay calm and patient. Teaching a child how to stay occupied while waiting is also helpful; giving them something simple to do, like holding a small toy or watching a timer, can make the wait feel shorter. If your child becomes upset while waiting, it’s important to validate their feelings but stick to the expectation.

With consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience, your child can learn to wait more calmly and confidently. And if waiting is a daily challenge, our ABA therapists can work with you to develop personalized strategies that make this skill easier and more manageable over time.