Getting Started Is a Skill — Not Just a Willingness
We all have students who stare at the blank page…
Re-sharpen their pencil 12 times…
Suddenly need to check everything in their bag…
All while the task waits untouched.
It’s not laziness. It’s a task initiation challenge — and it’s part of executive functioning.
This week, we’re supporting students who freeze before starting with the First Step Finder Chart — a simple visual that helps students work out where to begin before the overwhelm kicks in.
What Is Task Initiation?
Task initiation is the brain’s ability to:
- Move from thinking to doing
- Start a task without procrastination
- Begin even when the task feels hard, boring, or unfamiliar
Kids who struggle here aren’t “avoiding work” — they often:
❌ Don’t know how to break it down
❌ Worry they’ll get it wrong
❌ Feel too anxious or disorganised to begin
Why It Matters:
Helping kids start reduces behaviour incidents and builds:
✅ Independence
✅ Confidence
✅ Productivity
✅ Completion rates
Starting is often harder than continuing — so let’s scaffold that beginning.
This Week’s Tool: First Step Finder
You’ll get a visual that helps kids:
- Choose their first step from familiar starter options
- Feel a sense of movement (even if small)
- Use positive self-talk to get going
Try it with:
📘 Writing tasks
🎨 Open-ended projects
📦 Packing or unpacking routines
🧠 Anything that starts with “I don’t know what to do…”
📝 On Friday, students reflect on what step they chose — and what helped them get moving.
Need help applying this for slow starters or task-avoidant learners? SHS can co-plan visuals or support students directly.
For more info:
Autism Thera-Scholars Teachers Community
📧 info@succeedhealthcare.com.au
🌐 www.succeedhealthcare.com.au
#SHS #SucceedHealthcareSolutions #NorthLakes #ExecutiveFunction #TaskInitiation #StartStrong