Request Attention

A request for attention is a communicative utterance that is produced to obtain social closeness. Alternatively, requesting attention may function as a prelude to another communicative act (e.g., request access to a preferred item/activity, request to take a break from an activity). The reinforcing qualities of attention may range from close physical proximity (having another person sitting nearby) to having another person's undivided attention.

Who would benefit from being taught to request attention?

Children who engage in challenging behavior as a means to gain or maintain attention may benefit from being taught a socially appropriate request for attention response (communicative replacement for challenging behavior). For example:

After drawing a picture with a young girl, the teacher begins to leave the art area. The girl responds by throwing the art materials onto the floor. As a communicative alternative, this child may be taught to point to a graphic symbol that indicates "Please visit with me."

How might a child use a socially appropriate response to request attention?

A child may produce a request for attention in three ways: speaking, using a graphic symbol, or using a gesture. A child might say "Come here," touch a pager that produces a beep which is affixed to his waistband, or raise his hand.

Getting Ready To Teach Requesting Attention

Step A. Determine the function served by the challenging behavior.

Early Childhood Behavior Project
Center for Early Education and Development (CEED)
University of Minnesota

College of Education and 
Human Development