We use a wait strip. It is a piece of thick paper (laminated) with a velcro strip running down it. On the front and back. On the front are 6 squares (like picture exchange cards) they are numbered 1,2,3,4,5 and the card at the bottom says "all done" .

You teach this at home first. You say "you have to wait 5 minutes" and show him the strip. Ultimately, each card will be worth a minute, but in the beginning it's best to start with 1 second. Count 1 second and take off the "5" card and put it on the back of the strip. Say ok 4 more minutes. Wait a second, move the 4 to the back. 3 more minutes.... Until you get to the "1"card move it to the back. All that will be left on the strip is the all done card. Say ok, waiting is all done and let him move or get up.

Keep it at one second each until there are no negative behaviors. Then gradually increase the time of each card.

We use the wait strip everywhere. Really helps him understand the waiting is only temporary and WILL come to an end.

I'm not sure how much sense that made, my directions. Let me know if I need to clarify.

Before I come to a stop in my car, in the shopping cart, etc, I've started saying "it's time to wait!" Then slowly count till we move again. Been working pretty well. I use it anytime she has to wait, including while I get my shoes in to leave the house.

@A MyAutismTeam Member We had the same problem.
We took ABA teacher to places where kids need to stand in line and wait. e.g. Gym. Out goal to go to gym was to practice waiting.

Since my son (3.8 years) hasn't even gotten the concept of waiting / taking turns to do something (he hates it) we started in small ways. when there were more than 2 kids waiting for trampoline, we pull him out and give him break. Do count down (increase the no depending on time needed). Bring him back in line when there's one kid. Again count down of 10 & then let him go. After few trips we started making him wait behind 2 kids. It took us 8-10 outings to make him wait for count of 20 behind 2 kids.

So have patience, find some activity that your kid loves, take his teacher / anyone who can help you & practice regularly. You can also do count down of 10 when there's no one in line to reinforce in a way, " Ready, Set, go" so it does kind of help the child to focus on listening, getting his body ready for action & waiting for the adult to say GO. It has helped us in other aspects of day to day life like transitioning from preferred to non-preferred and vice versa.

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A MyAutis...

Thanks, that might be something I'll make for him.

I completely agree with @A MyAutismTeam Member. My 15 year old son with high-functioning ASD, Bipolar & ADHD is taking Trileptal, Guanfacine & Abilify (night only). If he misses even 1 dose of his meds, he feels "out of control" & has such severe anxiety that he wants to hide at home until his meds kick in again. Both my son & his 14 year old sister (high-functioning ASD, DMDD & ADHD) have been taking meds since around age 5. Before my kids began taking appropriate meds, I wouldn't take them anywhere w/o my mother or another support person. Imagine 2 Tasmanian Devils feeding off of each other's hyperactivity! My kids have a long way to go (don't we all?) but they are able to tackle challenging academic work & I'm hoping that they will be able to launch successfully into the "real world." Refusing to even consider meds may be limiting your child's chance to succeed in life. That being said, none of us want to "drug" our kids & turn them into zombies. I recommend keeping an open mind & devouring all the research u can get your hands on! Good luck!!!

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A MyAutis...