Key takeaways
- Generalisation is using a skill in new places, with new people and new materials, not just where it was first learned.
- Many children, including many autistic children, need help for skills to carry over.
- Teach one skill with lots of different examples, people and ways of asking.
- Practise inside everyday routines at home, at preschool and in the community.
- When parents are involved in therapy, skills are more likely to last and carry over.
Your child says “hi” to you every morning, but not to their teacher at preschool. They can follow “come to the table” at home, but not “come sit down” at Grandma’s. If this sounds familiar, your child is still working on generalisation.
What is generalisation?
Generalisation means using a skill in situations that are different from the one where it was learned: in other places, with other people, with other materials, and when the instruction is worded differently.
For example, a child might learn to say “hi” to Mum at home but not yet say “hi” to their therapist at the clinic. The skill is there, but it’s tied to one setting.
Why does generalisation matter?
A skill is only truly useful when your child can use it whenever they need it. That’s what builds independence in everyday life.
Generalisation doesn’t always happen on its own. Many children, including many autistic children, learn best when a skill is practised in lots of different ways. Research suggests that when parents are actively involved in therapy, children are more likely to keep and generalise the skills they learn.
5 ways to help your child use new skills everywhere
1. Teach many examples. Show the same idea in lots of forms. To teach “bear”, use different toy bears, bears in books, a bear at the zoo and a bear on a cup.
2. Practise with different people. If Mum taught the morning routine, have Dad, siblings and grandparents practise it too.
3. Use different ways of asking. Children sometimes only respond to one exact wording. Model several versions: “come here”, “come to the table”, “time to sit down”, with and without a gesture.
4. Practise in different places. Try the skill at home, at the park, at the shops and at preschool. Start somewhere familiar and calm, then add new places.
5. Build it into everyday routines. Short, frequent practice inside real routines (dressing, meals, bath, play) works better than long practice sessions.
Working with your child’s therapist
- Ask what to practise at home. At The Bridge Effect, sessions include parent coaching so you leave with one or two things to try during the week.
- Share what you see. Tell your therapist where the skill shows up and where it doesn’t. That helps plan the next step.
- Celebrate small wins. The first time a skill pops up somewhere new is a big step.
Our speech pathologists and occupational therapists in Northmead work with families across Western Sydney, including autistic and neurodivergent children. We support NDIS self-managed and plan-managed families; see our funding options or contact our Northmead team.
Frequently asked questions
What does generalisation mean in therapy?
It means your child can use a skill outside the setting where they learned it: with different people, in different places, with different materials and different wording.
Why can my child do something at therapy but not at home?
The skill may still be tied to the place, person or materials where it was learned. Practising it in lots of different ways at home helps it carry over.
How can parents help with generalisation?
Practise the skill in everyday routines, with different family members, different objects and different ways of asking. Ask your therapist what to focus on each week.
Do all children need help with generalisation?
Every child benefits from practice in different settings. Some children, including many autistic children, need more deliberate practice for skills to carry over.
References
- Tiura, M. (2019). Parent involvement in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder: Validation of a parent involvement survey (Doctoral dissertation). UC Berkeley.
- Raising Children Network. Autistic children: paying attention.
Updated from an earlier article by Shaya Ebennesar.