Goal: Answer "When" Questions
Sample Goal:
During a 10-minute conversation sample, Client will appropriately answer “when” questions on at least 80% of observed opportunities (times when the client is asked a “when” question).
Download the No-Prep Therapy Kit:
We have a start-to-finish therapy kit that will give you everything you need to practice this skill in therapy and send home homework. Click the packet below to open it. Then, print it out and place it in the child’s notebook or binder.
Therapy Phases:
Keep in mind that most time concepts don’t start to come in until a child is 4-5 years old, if not later! It is completely normal for a 3-year-old to say “last week” or “yesterday” when they are talking about any past events. What we want to look for with this skill with younger children is if they are answering with any sort of time concept. If you ask “when did you eat that” and they say “Mommy”, then we see a breakdown. But if we ask when they saw Grandma and they say “last year” instead of “last week”, we’re close enough. However, as the children get older, we expect those time concepts to solidify and they should be able to get the timing of things more correct.
- Answer Time of Day “When” Questions: Client will answer “when” questions about general times when things happen (such as, “when do you eat breakfast” “in the morning”) with at least 80% accuracy (general times like “morning” and “evening” are acceptable answers, as are specific times).
- Answer Time of Year “When” Questions: Client will answer “when” questions about general times of the year when things happen (such as, “when does it snow” or “when is your birthday” or “when do you go trick-or-treating”) with at least 80% accuracy (general times of year like “Summer” or “Winter” are acceptable answers, as are specific days/dates or holidays).
- Answer Cause and Effect “When” Questions: Client will answer cause and effect “when” questions, like “when do you eat” (“when I’m hungry”) with at least 80% accuracy.
- Answer Mixed “When” Questions in Structured Activity: Client will answer a variety of “when” questions during a structured activity with at least 80% accuracy.
- Answer Mixed “When” Questions in Unstructured Conversation: During a 10-minute conversation sample, Client will appropriately answer “when” questions on at least 80% of observed opportunities (times when the client is asked a “where” question).
What’s Next?
- Once the client has mastered “who” questions, move on to other question types.
Supplemental Materials
Here are some other resources that may help you when working on this skill:
When Questions Worksheets
Additional worksheets for practicing “when” questions.
Mixed Questions Pack
Several worksheets with pictures of common objects and questions for each one. Each picture has a “when” question along with a variety of other question types.
Training Videos:
Need some extra help on treating this skill? Check out these related training videos: