Pairing Strategy

Pairing is a strategy used to build rapport and develop a positive relationship with your student. This concept involves the practitioner “pairing” themselves with activities, interactions, and items that are reinforcing to the student. The goal for paring is to build a foundation of trust so that your student wants to be around you.

When pairing, the practitioner follows the student’s lead and their motivation. Here are some tips:

• be enthusiastic & use positive comments

• minimize questions + demands— the student shouldn’t feel like they have to respond to you

• don’t remove access to items

• imitate + parallel play

• respect personal space

• be patient— don’t rush the pairing process

• identify preferences— learn their interests

• be open, flexible, & go with the flow

• be silly + have fun!

Pairing isn’t just for getting started; it should be happening in every session with a student. Always continue pairing✨