Progress with my autistic girl yesterday.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218931)
Walnut Creek, California
January 30, 2021 1:37pm CST
I made some progress with the autistic 4-year-old girl I work with yesterday. She does not speak but she vocalizes, and I noticed that her vocalizations often sound like song. I have taken to imitating her vocalizations, which often revolve around a fourth (for example, C to F) or a fifth (for example, C to G). When I do so, she seems to like it, and sometimes makes brief eye-contact with me.
She "likes" me because I do not yell at her when she explores things (like the air conditioner or the TV) as the other teachers do. I think they are too directive with her. Yesterday, she was sitting in her favorite chair, and I sat next to her. She took my hand and I let it go limp, to see what she wanted to do with it. She put in on her cheek. I stroked her cheek gently, and she smiled. Again, she made brief eye-contact with me.
When It was clean-up time (five children were playing on the floor with soft stacky blocks), the other children started putting the blocks in the plastic bag where they "live." I tried to hand her a block, but she ignored me at first. But after she sat watching the other children put the blocks into the bag, I tried again. This time, she took the block from me and put it in the bag.
I gave her another block, and she did it again. By the time we had cleaned up, she and I had repeated this pattern about ten times. Autistic kids like repetitive and safe actions. Me handing her a block and her putting it into the bag became a safe behavioral sequence for her. I will see if she remembers this sequence next time I see her.
I am not very experienced with autistic kids. But I'm learning.
25 people like this
24 responses
@GardenGerty (160713)
• United States
30 Jan 21
I have worked with autistic kids and adults off and on for about twenty years, give or take. I have seen a variety of methods with them that are effective. None of them are yelling. At this time it is popular to use an augmentative communication device that is based on an Ipad or tablet. It has to be taught and there is software for the programs, I believe. We have a kindergarten aged autistic, non verbal girl we are working with.
10 people like this
@Tina30219 (81948)
• Onaway, Michigan
30 Jan 21
Glad she is finally taking to you it will take time she will get there the more younare around her. I have dealt with autistic kids when my son was in school and he is also but he talks and can do things on his own.
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (81948)
• Onaway, Michigan
30 Jan 21
@TheHorse Yeah he learned them quick being around them daily
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218931)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Jan 21
@Tina30219 I wonder if some of the autistic kids were able to "return the favor."
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218931)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Jan 21
@rebelann I read a article about tantrums v. meltdowns in autistic kids. Tantrums are said to be caused by frustration (you can't have that toy right now), while meltdowns are said to be caused by over-stimulation. She has both. She has both, I think.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
30 Jan 21
You are doing so well with her! No autistic child is the same and you learn by tiral and error. I worked with many over the years and am good friends with one of my students. He calls me, and I call him. I'm proud to say that he has a job and is doing very well now.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
31 Jan 21
You are doing a great work ! It is something that is quite tough but something noble as well !
Do you make any notes of your observations as well- may bd in a diary?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46968)
• India
1 Feb 21
@TheHorse
Still it is sometimes good to use pen and paper!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41447)
• United States
30 Jan 21
I think you do very well. You have a kind heart and common sense.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (41447)
• United States
31 Jan 21
@TheHorse Well, except for you and me, there doesn't seem to be a lot of it anymore.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218931)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Jan 21
@1creekgirl Heh heh. We're living in our own private Iowa.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340256)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 21
@TheHorse Not really. It seems to have been made to show how difficult it is dealing with some of the more severe cases and how institutions are unable to help, in some cases despite very good intentions. So where innovative treatments are working, there needs to be more help given to allow such places to continue.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47343)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Jan 21
Looks like you're doing a great job with her. Continue to use your instincts. She's not broken, just running on a different operating system.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44250)
• Wapello, Iowa
30 Jan 21
Why do so many people think that yelling is effective?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106425)
• Marion, Ohio
31 Jan 21
She is making progress with you there
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178869)
• United States
31 Jan 21
You are such a caring and astute teacher.
1 person likes this
