Learn about an Autism intervention called Attention Autism and nicknamed Bucket Time. Find out what it is, how to implement it and what you need to run it.
You may have heard about an Autism intervention called Attention Autism, nicknamed Bucket Time.
You are in the right place if you want to find out what it is, how to implement it and what you need to run it.
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is one of the fastest-growing needs in schools.
ASC is characterised as problems with social skills and communication, attention, repetitive and restrictive interests, and sensory processing difficulties that impact the child’s daily functioning.
Schools use different interventions to support children with Autism depending on their needs.
Bucket Time is popular because it is fun, engaging and relatively easy to implement and run.
In this post, you will learn about the Attention Autism approach, who created it, what it consists of and how to lead a session.
I will also share with you what to put in the bucket and a few examples of activities you can do with children when running the session.
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What is “Attention Autism” or “Bucket Time”?
Attention Autism is an intervention developed to help Autistic children develop communication, interaction and attentional skills.
It is a framework with set strategies and resources used often in schools in the UK to engage children with ASC.
By using highly motivating, engaging and fun activities and toys, children receive an “irresistible invitation to learn”.
When making it fun, exciting and interesting, we are more likely to get children’s attention and spontaneously join in helping their attention and communication.
Difficulties with communication, social interactions, repetitive and restrictive behaviours and attention characterise the Autistic Spectrum Condition.
Schools use “Bucket Time” interventions to help autistic children develop attention and communication because they can easily implement them in their environment and with their resources.
It involves showing the child fun toys and gadgets introduced in the first of the four stages, followed by different activities in the following stages.
Origins of “Attention Autism” (“Bucket Time”)
Gina Davies, a Specialist Speech and Language therapist, developed the Attention Autism approach.
She created it after several years of working with Autistic children.
Gina argues that the adult leading the activity must be the most exciting person in the room for the children.
Through enthusiastic and fun interaction and lots of visual cues, she believes children will find it irresistible and engage in the activity.
Why is Attention Autism called Bucket Time?
Attention Autism is also called Bucket Time.
Calling it Bucket Time is easier for children to remember and be curious about.
A bucket is involved in the first stage of Attention Autism.
A small plastic bucket or a mini bin with a lid hides the toys that attract children’s attention.
The bucket must have a lid, and the toys are not visible to the child.
The adult leading the session takes them out one at a time, with two or 3 per session.
If a child is excited and tries to grab the toy or reach for it, we have to put it back in the Bucket and close the lid.
By keeping them out of their reach, we are making them “special”. It is so the child doesn’t start playing with it and gets bored with it.
Who is Attention Autism (Bucket Time) for?
The Attention Autism approach or Bucket Time intervention is mainly used with children in Primary schools but can also be used with adults with Autism.
You can also use it with neurotypical children in a classroom to improve their attention and social and communication skills.
Using it in a small group is best because some tasks require a partner.
These tasks aim to develop social skills like turn-taking joint attention and to increase interaction between children.
However, it can be adapted to use with one child.
The adult leading the session must also be the child’s partner.
I have done the “Bucket Time” sessions with groups or one child only, and I think it is more effective in the group.
Children have more opportunities to learn from each other then.
Depending on the size of the group and the children’s needs, you may need other adults’ help.
They can do it by keeping children focused and sat, supporting them to pay attention, and redirecting them if they get up or don’t want to engage.
What can Attention Autism intervention (Bucket Time) help with?
As I mentioned above, Attention Autism aims to develop attention and communication skills in Autistic children.
It also helps with improving joint attention.
Joint attention may sometimes be reduced or impaired in Autistic children.
What is joint attention? It happens when a child shares their attention with another person towards an object or event.
Joint attention is essential in developing language, social communication skills and learning.
Attention Autism also aims to develop shared enjoyment and offer a fun activity based on the Autistic children’s strengths.
Many Autistic children are visual learners and have rich visual skills.
This approach uses this strength to support them in learning.
What else can it help with?
Attention Autism will help your child with attention.
It will show the children that they can have fun in group activities which can improve their social skills.
Bucket time will help your child with verbal and non-verbal communication and increase their vocabulary.
The approach also aims to improve children’s independence, confidence, and self-awareness.
Moreover, it can help with eye contact, engagement in play and behaviour.
Who are the adults leading Attention Autism intervention (Bucket Time)?
Bucket time intervention can be done in school, at home or any other setting.
Teachers, parents, teaching assistants or speech and language therapists can deliver the sessions.
Some people get training directly from Gina Davies, and others learn by reading about the approach or watching YouTube videos where other practitioners model how to lead a session.
It is pretty straightforward, and you don’t need any particular skills or knowledge, just a lot of enthusiasm and some resources.
When done in a group in school, a teaching assistant can be present to help children stay seated and help refocus them.
Why don’t you give it a go if you are a parent? You don’t need to be a professional to lead successful sessions with your child.
What is the evidence that Attention Autism (Bucket Time) works?
Why does Attention Autism claim to be effective?
Gina Davies, the creator of the approach, states it uses good autism practices.
They are visual cues, structured routines and intensive interaction strategies.
There is some evidence showing that the approach is effective.
It is practice-based research. It means that teachers (or other professionals) led the sessions at school, noticed their intervention’s effects, and documented it.
However, there is no large-scale research confirming the effectiveness of the program.
It is, nevertheless, very popular and used widely in schools in the UK.
How long does it take?
How long the session is will depend on which stage you are on.
As you will read below, the approach has four steps.
The first stage will last only a few minutes.
The next stages will include all the former ones.
So when you are doing a session in stage 4, it will consist of activities from stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3.
To ensure consistency and better effect, you should do bucket time every day, from Monday to Friday.
After two weeks, and if/when your child is ready, you can introduce the next stage and run it for two weeks.
You are looking at eight weeks of the whole program if everything goes well and you are disciplined.
Four stages of Attention Autism (Bucket Time) approach
Stage 1 : Focusing Attention
This stage is also known as Bucket stage or Attention Graber.
An adult has a bucket full of exciting and fun toys.
They take out one at a time and show children excitement and engagement.
The toys must be visually appealing and have never been seen by the children before.
They might make noise or have lights- anything to get children’s attention.
Keep the language to a minimum, only naming the objects.
Stage 2: Sustaining Attention
Stage 2 is also known as attention builder.
The children are invited to participate in an activity that goes on for a more extended period.
It has to be fun and engaging.
Keep the language to a minimum, demonstrate the activity, and invite the children to copy what you do.
Stage 3: Shifting Attention
The next stage can also be called turn-taking and re-engaging.
After demonstrating a longer activity, you encourage the child to engage and take turns with their peers.
I wrote a whole post about stage 3; read it here.
Stage 4: Focusing
The last stage is also called shifting and re-engaging attention
This activity is about sustaining and shifting attention and transitioning to independent working before returning to the group.
Children are shown an activity and sent to their tables to complete it independently with the resources waiting for them.
Examples of Stages 2, 3 and 4 activities
Stage 2: Flour Face– Shake flour through a sieve on a large sheet of paper, saying, “shake, shake, shake”. Then, with your finger, draw a simple face, naming eyes, nose, and mouth as your draw.
Stage 3: Cake Splat– Spray shaving foam into cupcake cases and then splat them one by one with a fly swatter saying “splat” every time.
For more examples of Stafe 3 activities, read here.
Stage 4: Copy Me– Build a simple structure/pattern With Lego or any other blocks. Model making it and then hand your child a box with the same number of blocks so they can copy your design independently.
What can you put in the bucket in Stage 1?
Wind up moving toys like these ones here
Light-up toys, try these ones
Spinning tops, how about these?
Toys that make noises
Toys with balloons
Pop-up toys
Musical toys
Mechanical toys
Yo-yos
Stretch tubes, like these ones
Fidget toys, like the ones here
Toys you would put in birthday party bags
You may also use some objects you can find around the house, like funny glasses or hats/ accessories.
I hope you can learn about Bucket intervention and the Attention Autism approach used in schools and homes with Autistic children.
Let me know in the comments if you have heard about Bucket Time before.
