Teaching flexibility in your autistic child is helpful, they often time meltdown over the smallest change in routine. Here are some tips on teaching flexible thinking at home.
Teach same but different, different but same- be sure to point out the differences in things and events as well as what is the same. Example: travel a different way home you eventually end up in the same place.
Increase opportunities for productive uncertainty- times where the child has to reference your face for information (surprises). Shake things up a little bit- example: when serving cereal put it into a giant mixing bowl instead of a cereal bowl. Say “oops mom goofed up, oh well” if they will take the change great if not that is ok too. They just start to become ok with things that are different. Treasure hunts are also a good way to shake things up, putting things where they don’t belong but playing a game to find them this is fun for both the parent and child.
By creating moments of distress and then recovery, you increase the child’s level of competence and ability to handle change.
Share your own emotional state. Stay calm but talk about things that make you mad or happy or sad and why they do. Your child will be interested and eventually be able to share their feelings.
There are lots of great techniques using Relationship Development Intervention at home with your autistic kids check out the website if you haven’t already www.rdiconnect.com.
What is terrific to see is
What is terrific to see is that my son will actually tell me now which way he wants to go home. I see the flexibility transferring to more and more areas of his life. = )
if they will take the change
if they will take the change great if not that is ok too. They just start to become ok with things that are different. Treasure hunts are also a good way to shake things up, putting things where they don’t belong but playing a game to find them this is fun for both the parent and child. Ford Focus
I so agree with what this
I so agree with what this guy says! I use the word "different" a lot to LJ and have found LJ has figured out that it's okay. You can take simple things like buy carrots packaged differently. Carrots in a can, baby carrots cut & peeled, whole carrots not chopped or peeled & line them up & create a conversation/learning opportunity with them. LJ's thing is cars. He has learned there are all different kinds of cars, trucks, trains, etc. Different colors, different types, different wheels...I think it has helped him cope & organize better. He's gotten alot more flexible.
I totally do the same where if I make a mistake I say so, and we treat everything really nonchalantly. Like when they use the parenting example of spilled milk - treat accidents like accidents - say "oops" and then get them to help you clean it up. LJ loves helping, it's about the only way I can get him to do things - it's in his control still, but I'm treating it like it's special & I appreciate it & it builds up his confidence in things.
My next job is to work on the feelings part! Task stuff is easier. :)
I found this post very
I found this post very interesting. I have never heard of Relationship Development Intervention(RDI). Do the majority of students with autism receive this? I have a friend who has a 4 year old son with autism, who I think would benefit from this. I am an elementary teacher and have a child in my class this year with autism characteristics. He tends to melt down with small changes. I think I will try using some of these techniques with him and suggest them to his parents too! Thank you for the great info.
Absolutely! I've done this
Absolutely! I've done this with my daughter, and now changes in routine don't throw her nearly as much. She's ready for anything. (although party days at school still overwhelm her a bit).