Why might Samantha have put a timer on the table in view of the client while saying "wait"?

Samantha putting a timer on the table in view of the client while saying "wait" serves several important purposes in promoting understanding and compliance. By using the timer, Samantha provides a visual aid that helps the client grasp the concept of waiting. Visual supports are particularly effective for individuals with autism, as they often benefit from visual cues that clarify expectations and timeframes.

The timer acts as a concrete representation of the passage of time, allowing the client to see how long they need to wait. This reduces anxiety and uncertainty by giving them a clear sense of when they can expect to resume their activity or receive reinforcement. Moreover, the visual aspect of the timer can enhance the client's engagement and focus on the task at hand, fostering better skill acquisition and understanding of waiting behaviors.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the role of the timer in this context. While being in timeout or taking duration data may involve timers in different scenarios, these situations do not align with the clear purpose of using a timer as a visual aid for promoting waiting skills.