Understanding and Supporting Difficulty with Transitions At all ages
Transitions—whether it’s switching tasks, changing environments, or shifting topics—can be unexpectedly hard for people of all ages. Whether you're helping a toddler leave the playground, a teen start homework, or an adult shift from work to home life, difficulty with transitions often stems from challenges with executive functioning and communication. These struggles can manifest differently at each life stage, but they share a common theme: trouble with planning, flexibility, and processing changes.
How Young Children Experience Transition Challenges
In toddlers and preschoolers, difficulty with transitions often shows up as meltdowns, refusal, or physical resistance. Shifting from playtime to mealtime or leaving daycare may cause distress, especially if the child doesn’t yet have the language to understand or express what’s happening. One effective strategy is using visual countdowns. For example, use a sand timer or five fingers to count down: “Five more minutes of blocks… four more minutes…” Pair this with a visual schedule that uses pictures for daily routines like “Play → Lunch → Nap.” These concrete supports help prepare young kids for what comes next, reducing anxiety and resistance.
Supporting School-Aged Kids with Transitions
Elementary-aged children may struggle with transitions between subjects at school, from screen time to chores, or ending preferred activities. This can stem from underdeveloped executive functioning skills like task initiation and cognitive flexibility. One helpful technique is to give two warnings and a choice: “In five minutes, we’ll switch to homework. In two minutes, you can choose to start with reading or math.” Use timers with sounds and written checklists to help them visualize the steps involved. Giving some autonomy within structure helps kids feel more in control and less caught off guard.
Navigating Transitions with Preteens and Teens
Teens may outwardly appear capable but still struggle with transitions—especially shifting from relaxing to productivity, or ending social activities. You might see procrastination, arguments, or moodiness when it’s time to change gears. For this age group, focus on collaborative planning. Use a shared calendar or planner to map out transitions in advance: “You have volleyball practice at 4:00, so you’ll need to wrap up your gaming by 3:30 to eat and change.” Help them verbalize the transition: “After I finish this level, I’ll go grab a snack.” Practice self-monitoring scripts like “What’s next? Am I ready for that?” to build internal awareness.
Transition Strategies for Adults
Adults with brain injury, executive functioning differences (like ADHD), or post-stroke aphasia may also struggle with transitioning between activities or environments. They may feel overwhelmed, disoriented, or avoidant when faced with an unexpected shift. One effective strategy is externalizing routines using checklists or visual cues. For example, post a step-by-step morning routine on the bathroom mirror: “1. Shower 2. Get dressed 3. Take meds 4. Eat breakfast.” Pair this with verbal prompts or use a phone alarm that says: “Time to leave for therapy in 15 minutes.” These small scaffolds help make transitions more predictable and manageable.
Communication Tools that Support All Ages
Across the lifespan, transitions are easier when the brain and body have predictable, clear cues. Visual schedules, verbal prompts, and transitional phrases (“First we’ll ___, then we’ll ___”) are helpful for nearly every age. For individuals with limited expressive language, use gesture, picture symbols, or written supports to explain what’s happening next. Avoid sudden changes when possible, and allow processing time between tasks. For example, after lunch, say, “We’re all done. Let’s take two minutes, then we’ll start reading.” This small pause helps the brain shift more successfully.
When to Consider Speech Therapy
If transitions consistently cause meltdowns, shutdowns, or avoidant behaviors across different settings, it might be time to explore speech therapy. At its core, difficulty with transitions has deep connections to language processing and executive functioning—both of which fall within a speech-language pathologist’s scope. We can help individuals develop scripts, social stories, routines, and communication strategies that reduce overwhelm and promote smoother shifts between activities. With the right tools, transitions don’t have to feel like cliffs to jump off—they can feel like gentle steps forward.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re parenting a preschooler or supporting an adult after a brain injury, understanding and supporting difficulty with transitions is essential to improving daily function and emotional well-being. By anticipating needs, using clear cues, and practicing flexibility, we can help individuals of all ages approach transitions with more confidence and less stress.
