This is my first attempt at blogging, but I guess I will just give it a go. I was thinking about some ways in which parents or teachers could encourage social skills in their child or student. Here are two ideas I came up with. The first is really just a way to make a free toy. But with that toy, you could have the child request the toy using signs or pictures or words. So here it goes:
SENSORY BOTTLES- Sensory bottles are fun items your students or child can play with during sensory time or when you have a small (under 5 minutes) break in between activities. They are 20 oz soda bottles filled with water and glitter, beads, string or small pieces of colored tag board. You make this by- Collecting 20 oz. plastic bottles. Clean out the bottles. Fill the bottles with water 3/4 of the way. Add whatever you want to the bottle (glitter, food coloring, beads, string or small pieces of colored tag board). SEAL the top of the bottle by placing glue in the cap, drying the cap, then placing clear Duct tape (regular tape will not hold) around the seal. Be careful when allowing children to interact with the bottles, as some will try their best to bite them or open the caps. If you have students who might do this, try using glitter only in the inside of the bottle (no beads or paper). This is also a great art activity to do with the child. He/shee can create their own.
ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION- Remember communication is not just speaking, it is any way a person relays a message. Try to encourage communication with your students each day all day. Ideas on how to do this- Create communication opportunities where there were none before. For example, during breakfast time, if you are used to giving the students or child their food automatically, try withholding the food until they sign, say or give a symbol for food. To take it a step further, give them one food item at a time or give their food first, then have them communicate to get their drink. Even further...give them their drink, but do not open it, until they communicate to have it opened. Next, do the same for the straw and the spoon and the fork, etc. This same process or withholding items, can be incorporated into an art activity or group activiy or play activity. You will have an extra advantage any time you have an item the child really likes. Beware, however, the child who is used to having items given to them "for free" may protest. You just stick with it and provide them with an appropriate manner in which to communicate their wants.
I think that creating the
I think that creating the sensory bottle is a great idea. Not only would it be great for children with autism but you could also involve the other children in the classroom and that may allow for the child to socialize with his/her peers. The only thing would be that, like you said, the bottles would need to be duct taped very securely! I also agree with your ideas for fostering communication with children. I think that by not giving them what they want (food or toy) right away and having them say the word first would be a great idea. However, I think that a lot of children would not be used to it and put up a fuss. Once you get past that first word though it will not be as difficult. I know it can be hard to see the child have a tantrum and upset but you need to keep thinking about how great it is going to be to get them to speak. The important thing to remember is repetition. You are going to have to do a lot of repetition in order to get the child to say the word. It may not happen right away after the first try and may be challenging. Just remember, to not give up and that your child speaking is worth it!
I agree, I think that the
I agree, I think that the sensory bottle is a great idea. It is so important for autistic children to learn how to socialize. I am currently taking a graduate class on autism and recently we have been focusing on socialization.
As a future teacher, I believe that other students in the class are a great resource for teachers to use. If the teacher can achieve a supportive and positive community classroom, I think that it would definitely help an autistic child’s socialization. Once a community is formed, everyone will feel welcome, and the other students will accept every child. When this happens, students will become much more supportive of an autistic child. At this point, the other students will be a great resource in the classroom.
In the last post, repetition and patience were mentioned. These things are crucial in helping autistic children learn how to socialize. In the classroom they are just as important. Having each student greet each other would be a great routine for the students. Also, having the students role play often I think would be a great help in teaching them how to socialize.