20/05/2025
Learning to Wait - A small skill that builds lifelong independence
Waiting is often seen as something simple, something we all just know how to do. But for many individuals with developmental disabilities, especially teenagers and adults, the ability to wait is not innate. It is a skill, one that must be taught, practiced, and supported with patience and consistency.
When someone is unable to wait their turn, they may become anxious, frustrated, or impulsive. They might walk away, raise their voice, grab, or react in ways that are difficult to manage in everyday environments. These reactions are not signs of defiance, they’re often signs that the person hasn’t yet learned what it means to wait and why waiting is safe and predictable.
But teaching someone to wait isn’t about forcing them to be “patient.” It’s about helping them understand that when they wait, even for a short time, the outcome is still positive. This understanding can be supported with tools like visual timers, countdowns, wait cards, or simple verbal cues. Most importantly, it’s about making sure that when we ask someone to wait, we follow through, so they learn that waiting leads to something reliable, not uncertainty.
At Rosie's Love and Care, we view the ability to wait as a key part of every behavior support and life skills program. Small, structured opportunities, like waiting to be called on, waiting during transitions, or waiting while someone else is receiving help, are used daily to support our learners in building this skill gradually and meaningfully.
Waiting is not just a behavior. It’s a milestone in self-regulation. And for individuals with disabilities, self-regulation is often the first doorway to greater independence and inclusion.
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☎️ 0492 668 668
💌 info@rosielovecare.com.au
🔎 www.rosielovecare.com.au
📌Level 1, Suite 22, 797 Plenty Road, South Morang, VIC 3752