Which strategy would best help a first-grade student with ASD focus on other tasks before an exciting field trip?

Teaching the student waiting skills and marking days on a calendar is an effective strategy for helping a first-grade student with ASD focus on tasks leading up to an exciting field trip. Many children on the spectrum can struggle with delays or transitions, especially when an anticipated event is on the horizon. By emphasizing waiting skills, the student learns to manage their excitement and understand that the field trip will occur at a later time.

Marking days on a calendar can serve as a visual aid, providing a clear representation of the time remaining until the trip. This can help reduce anxiety and enhance impulse control, guiding the student in establishing a routine and a sense of time management, which is crucial in their learning process. Together, these skills foster patience and help the student engage with other activities, thereby enabling them to participate more fully in the present tasks before the exciting event.