
Teaching waiting skills to autistic children works best by starting with very short, successful delays and gradually increasing the waiting duration over time as the child builds confidence. Visual supports like timers, wait cards, and first-then boards help children understand how long they need to wait and what comes next, reducing the uncertainty that often leads to frustration. With consistent reinforcement, predictable routines, and practice during real everyday situations, many children develop stronger impulse control and emotional regulation around waiting over time.