Great posts! Especially missceegee about giving the children OUR full attention when on the computer.
I know that’s something I need to work on!
I wanted to add something I learned from RDI (Relationship Development Intervention for Autism).
Sometimes, using another “route” of communication instead of just verbal is very helpful, too, for both autistic and neurotypical children.
This works especially well with my asperger’s child. We have all learned Sign language from watching Signing Time. Although my son is very verbal, sometimes I will make eye contact with him, then use a sign to get his attention, such as making the sign for “shirt” when I want him to change his clothes, or “set table” when it’s time for him to do that. Using another sensory modality seems to command his attention, whereas if I just repeated it verbally, it is like he is “deaf” to what I’m saying.
This has worked really well with my 3 yo who is not autistic. He has learned alot of the signs. I’ve learned that one has to really focus and pay attention when there is no spoken language.
Another thing I’ve tried for my children who can read is to write down what I want him to do then hand him the paper. No words said at all. Obviously this is not convenient all the time, but I’ve found that using different modalities of communication really helps focus attention.
Or sometimes, I try to whisper what I want them to do. Think about it….when you suddenly hear someone whisper to you, doesn’t it make you want to pay attention? It does to me, especially because it’s novel, and it makes it seem like a game.
Nanci
