Foundational Learning Skills
November 12, 2025
Foundational Learning Skills
(also referred to as Learning-How-to-Learn Skills)
Behavioral Flexibility & Regulation
- Accepting delays in reinforcement or access to preferences
- Accepting "no"
- Calm body / sustained calm body
- Coping
- Tolerance
- Transitions
- Waiting
Attention & Engagement
- Attending
- Looking at relevant people/materials
- Joint attention
- Staying with adult/group
- Sitting / sustained sitting
Communication & Social Interaction
- Communication
- Responding to name
- Responding to questions/requests/directives
- Responding in unison (choral responses)
- Social skills (parallel play, play with a friend, sharing, turn-taking, etc.)
Task Participation & Independence
- Following multi-step directions
- Starting a task / continuing a task / completing a task
- Independence
- Learning from feedback
- Observational learning
Reinforcement & Contingency Skills
- Contingency
- Giving up reinforcement or desired items
- Refraining from… (e.g., specific challenging behaviors)
Important Notes
- This is not an exhaustive list, but it highlights common needs for adequate learning.
- Advanced skills can also be taught, such as:
- Social skills
- Toileting
- Academics
- Eating
- Sleep routines
- Self-help skills
Recent Posts

By Julie Williams
•
February 11, 2026
Welcome to the blog for Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction LLC. Here, I delve into the philosophy and approach behind my business, highlighting the areas of need in our society that can benefit individuals with autism and other disabilities. My goal is to address barriers to progress and foster the development of skills necessary for living as independently as possible, leading to a meaningful and happy life. Through quality training of staff and families individuals have access.

By Julie Williams
•
February 5, 2026
Welcome to the blog for Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction LLC. Here, I delve into the philosophy and approach behind my business, highlighting the areas of need in our society that can benefit individuals with autism and other disabilities. My goal is to address barriers to progress and foster the development of skills necessary for living as independently as possible, leading to a meaningful and happy life. Through quality training of staff and families individuals have access.

By Julie Williams
•
January 27, 2026
...it means every student gets what they need to feel safe, learn, and grow. When “Fairness” Hurts: Rethinking Equity and Support There’s a popular image in education circles: three children of different heights stand behind a fence, watching a baseball game. In the first frame, only the tallest can see. In the second, each child stands on a box sized to their height so all three can see. It’s used to show the difference between equality (everyone gets the same) and equity (everyone gets what they need).

