Recommended reading: The Out of Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz. Has activities that focus on motor skills and sensory stuff. The original book, The Out of Sync Child, is good reading to help understand the sensory needs of your child so I recommend it as well.

Welcome to MAT!

We passed thru this phase too. Some things that we did :
1. Move out all toys from accessible areas around the house to boxes which are shut tight & need an adult to open it. So Kid has to draw attention, (use words to take parent to get toys "Papa/mama come"). Again use words to specifically say what's needed, depending on the kids's age one can make this process challenging/ simple in order to make them learn more words.
2. Same thing about all snacks / juice boxes etc. (Nothing is given free unless request is made. e.g, Even on high chair, give one piece of snack / food item at a time.
3. Get the child to cross his midline all the time. e.g. If child extends right hand to grab a cookie, give it to him from his/her left side so he needs to bring right hand across his chest to left side. This applies while playing outdoors, doing puzzles basically all day to day activities.
4. Doing circle time interactions at library, few days at daycare if possible.
5. For improving eye contact - Bring the desired object close to your eyes so child is forced to look into your eyes. Also one can put a bright sticker on your forehead between your eyes to draw attention.

one can also do other things depending on the need of sensory stimulation that the child strives.

My daughter is in same boat (recently diagnosed (kind of) and will be 26 months soon. We do something where we won't give her something unless we get a sound or some sort of communication if she hasn't used word before. We find when she is very motivated she uses words she knows just fine it's when she's in the eh whatever phase where speaking words doesn't happen

@ KorneliaLapinskiPeck & @A MyAutismTeam Member
3. This's about both sides of brain talking to each other while being involved in single task. As you must be aware that left side of brain controls the right side of the body & vice versa. For developing speech, getting centered (calm, ready, focussed, paying attention to what's happening around ) for learning, it is effective after activities that involve crossing midline.

When you start OT / PT - this principle will be used in all activities. So we need to also follow these things in day to day life to get faster results. Therapy will be only for 45 minutes in entire week. Always opt for In-clinc sessions as clinics are very well equipped for therapy.

The Out of Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz - Please read this book & you will understand more.

My son never wanted to sit during 25 minutes of circle time between 24-36 months. I used to take him to playground.(it was mommy-me class). Now he's in school 5 hours/day/entire week. He started attending circle time now. Earlier, it was very frustrating for me. However don't stop attending circle time. we did few things during 2-3 years :
Rather than sitting in circle and disturbing others, sit behind with some favorite toy / seeing video on phone / anything that will make the child sit in vicinity. Participation will come later. (months / year)
Bring the child in circle time only when the most motivated activity is being done. Rest of the time go out to another room / playground. Gradually increase the time period. 2 minutes - 5 minutes - 10 minutes etc.
Hope that helps.

You can also call ABA teacher to school for observation and proposing solution.

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A MyAutis...

Thanks everyone. Thanks @A MyAutismTeam Member for the tips. Also wondering (just like Kornelia) what tip 3 is about. Also my son hates circle time. Last time he hung his head in shame/frustration when the typical kids started jumping about and gesturing while he couldn't. He does fairly well at play groups but seems lost during circle time. This diagnosis is heartbreaking.

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A MyAutis...