Autism – Celebrating Ideas
Happy New Year!!
My first post for 2011.
Today I thought it would be helpful to share with you the 3 biggest messages that I took away from a brilliant presentation I recently attended, by fellow speech pathologist Michele Ricamato from Chicago… but just before I do…
I quickly wanted to let you know what I’ve been up to and why you might not have heard from me for a while. :0
Things have been crazy busy in my autism world in the past few months…
I recently completed my first series of professional development workshops for speech pathologists, working with children with autism in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne, which went very well and were lots of fun. The whole production took months of preparation and organisation but it has been a fantastic experience with some great outcomes.
As you know I am very passionate about Speechies using a relationship building and developmental approach to therapy, rather than “table-top” intervention. I am happy to say that…
95% of the 500 speech pathologists who attended said that they would shift the way that they work with children with autism as a result of attending the workshop!
This pleases me greatly 
As a result, this year we’re planning to run advanced workshops for speech pathologists that will build on the information and ideas presented at the first workshop and will focus heavily on the practical application of those therapy strategies. We are also considering running a series of workshops for parents as well (time permitting).
So I am really excited about the year ahead!
But now… back to my reason for writing today.
As I mentioned, Late last year I attended a wonderful course in Adelaide. Michele Ricamato, a speech pathologist from Chicago and certified DIR consultant/trainer who specialises in children with ASD, presented on two very interesting topics:
- Honouring Intentionality – The journey of supporting intention and ideation in treatment
- Let’s make meaning – Supporting Comprehension at all stages of Language Learning.
There was a lot of wonderful information covered and numerous interesting case studies.
But the 3 overriding messages that really stood out for me were:
- The importance of TRULY CELEBRATING the child’s unique ideas. There are no RIGHT or WRONG ideas. Our ideas are NOT better than theirs.
- When you OBSERVE what the child is ‘doing’ throughout their day you will learn what is IMPORTANT, MEANINGFUL and MOTIVATING to the child. So if the child spends their day spinning, crashing, running, lining up then this is where their thinking/processing is at. If the child wants to keep talking about fire engines or helicopter propellers then these are the ideas in their head that they want to share and learn more about.
- To create a rich and effective learning environment we must simply IDENTIFY what the child is thinking about (what is going on in their mind) and find ways to EXPAND upon this. Remember that ‘comprehension’ is like an onion with many layers to keep unraveling! So if the child loves to think about and play with fire engines this is wonderful and there are many opportunities within play to elaborate upon the child’s concept of fire engines and what they mean. It doesn’t matter what the child’s interests are… learning opportunities can always be created from a thought or idea!
So often in therapy we like to force our OWN ideas about what is important onto the child. As speech pathologists we often are the ones that determine what concepts are important to teach the child. But if we are truly operating in the PRESENT moment, when interacting with the child, then we will certainly learn through the child what is important and meaningful to THEM.
I really loved this quote from the course…
“I believe that a life without ideas is an unfulfilled existence. Not only having ideas is important, but to express them, share them and implement them is what makes a difference in the world”
Hearing the unique thoughts, feelings and ideas of the children that I treat is such a gift and truly rewarding! I would never want to squash this in a child.
So, some food for thought…
How much do you celebrate and expand upon the unique ideas of YOUR child (or those you treat)? Please share…
Till next timeMonique
P.S: If you liked this article you can subscribe to my blog for free (top right of this page) and every time I create a new article I’ll let you know via email so you’ll never miss a thing!
I agree with what Monique has said about expanding and working with your child’s ideas and interests. My son is crazy about lifts and can spot one from a mile off. My husband has made a few videos on his mobile phone of different lifts we’ve seen when we’re out , transferred them onto the pc and then made them into something like an interactive activity for our son to enjoy. We’ve been able to use his love of lifts to illustrate concepts (up/down; in/out; big/little; open/shut etc); numbers (eg. “level 1, level 2, ground floor”). We’ve sometimes ‘pasted’ photos of our son in the lifts, various symbols in the lifts (pictures of animals, object, alphabets etc). We have also taken videos of the family riding in different lifts when out for the day, and everyone is now in the habit of labelling and describing everything whilst riding in the lift. People must think we’re little a bit nutty! All that aside, even though sometimes you feel like you’re nurturing an obsession, using things that interest your child as a learning tool really seem to work. It’s something our speechie was very encouraging about when I first mentioned it to her last year. I would say no matter how wacky the ideas seem, try them and see what happens…. pretty amazing stuff.
Wow that is fantastic! That is exactly what I am talking about. Thank you for sharing your story about the lifts…..it is a great example of truly celebrating and expanding upon your child’s ideas. Inspiring!
OMG! I thought our son is the only one who has an obsession with lifts or elevator! He would google all kinds of videos on elevators from all over the world; i was really surprised they have so many videos on elevators of all shapes and sizes and from so many different places in the world. he also has another special interest in highways and their toll plazas..whenever we use these highways, he would recognize & point out the the names of the highway, the locations, the signboards, etc as what he had seen in the satellite sites..we always encourage him as he would get excited and bubbly everytime.
the sign up for free advice section comes back with an error message
In order for people to accept the new, they must have the opportunity and the means to say goodbye to the old. Change brings out a mixture of feelings and reactions in people, but everyone needs time to say goodbye to the past. By implementing some of the ideas below, you can help associates say goodbye to the old organization, and prepare them to move forward to make the new company all it can be.
It sounds like it was an incredibly impactful and successful workshop—well done. Any time you’re introducing change or asking for change, there will be hesitation; at least in the beginning. All change is loss, there is no other way around it. Even if the change is for the better or for the good of society at large. However, after reading your post, it sounds like your workshops were so convincing, most pathologists won’t have much of an issue implementing your suggestions and techniques. Keep up the good work!
Love the 3 messages, especially the first one (about truly celebrating child’s ideas). Mrs Simpson, this world needs more people like you.
And by the way, you look pretty confident on stage (judging by the photo). How do you achieved that?
Claire.
I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December
The Day aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.
How many hundredthousands of autistic children are locked in different institutions for the care of children with disabilities. This is one way to raise money and staff of institutions perform violence against children with disabilities. Let us help you and the children see the sunset, to feel love, to cleanse the overdosed body ..
Image of battered autistic boy in a Home for Children with Disabilities Veternik, Serbia…. how to stop violence to children with disabilities, and false care for disabled children,…
Hi. I have an autistic 4 year old son who is obsessed with lifts &escalators. So much so that it has become impossible to go out. Pls let me know the different methods I can use to leash this behaviour
Thanks
I am amazed at the number of kids who are obsessed with escalators. A friend of mine was telling about a neighbor’s child who loves them. The movement and mechanics must trigger something in their minds. Truly amazing!!!
Although all participants of your family see the other everyday, connecting remains to be vital. This really is fundamentally the easiest method to reinforce the call on the list of family and in some cases design your romantic relationship to each other tougher. It is really terrific to behave outside the house but if your climatic conditions is certainly not superior or if it truly is seeing outdoors, you can look at unique variations of indoors game titles and pursuits that can actually make anyone feel happy. This is a great alternative that you can take into consideration. Right here are some of the games or even the things to do which can be done inside your own home.Hide and go seek is amongst the most in-demand activities ever before experienced which can be achieved indoors. An individual ought to be an InitHalf inch who will be accountable of searching for other loved ones who definitely are covering up. Reduce costs that’ll be discovered with no touchingPerachieving the house basic might become the upcoming Inchesit.In But should you be think that that isn’t a really good option, it is possible to investigate charade that is one more interior sport. In this particular video game, preferably, there needs to be two clubs. It will have an affiliate that can act up the word that may be written on certificates as the other members are working-power over guessing the saying. They with more points will then be proclaimed for the reason that victorious one.Apart from hide and go seek and charade, a large variety of cards and games will also be one of the suitable selections that one could consider. Card games include things like Menagerie, Aged Maid, Coming, Diamond, Slapjack and more. For games, you possibly can select Scrabble, Mentally stimulating games, Monopoly, Spouse and children Feud and Pieces. When you have plenty of choices to look at, you need to simply pick out this you imagine is absolutely enjoyable.On the flip side, if you find that playing the video games that were mentioned above won’t be up to scratch, it is possible to select other pursuits which a lot of the relatives have likes and dislikes in. In particular, if you like to prepare/farrenheit whilst your family, you’ll be able to makes pastime in order to relationship with the fam. You possibly can allocate every single associate to undertake a specific section of the preparing your receipeePerpreparing food course of action to make sure that absolutely everyone will delight in. Ensure that anyone actually reaches participate in these kinds of pastime. Once the food is cooked or perhaps the wedding cake is baked, then you can take it collectively because of the family. Anyone will surely be satisfied you can eat the berry of their total crews. As well as food preparationAndthe baking, you can even think about several other activities like painting, belly dancing, vocal range, looking through, enjoying videos many more.These are merely very methods to attachment with your loved ones however, these are really helpful. You don’t have in your case expend a lot of money as these simple points can certainly provide happiness to every person specifically folks are complete. It isn’t truly crucial that these matters should be carried out every day. Once or maybe a few times every month will work.
Whether or not all customers of your family see the other on a daily basis, relationship remains to be vital. This is generally the obvious way to bolster the partnership one of several members of the family and even create your connection to each other stronger. It really is fantastic to do something out of doors but once the weather is not that beneficial or maybe it truly is pouring down rain out of doors, you can look at a variety of indoor activities and exercises that can truly make all people feel good. This is a great choice that you may think about. Right here are some of the games and the routines that you can do in the house.Hide and seek is amongst the most favored games ever before played out and also this can actually be exercised inside your home. Another person must be an Half inchitHalf inch that happen to be dependable of searching for other close relatives that are concealing. Website that might be uncovered with no holdingOrgetting to your home foundation should function as upcoming Half inchit.In But for anyone who is believe that this may not be a great alternative, you are able to check into charade which is one more indoor video game. During this activity, if at all possible, there should be two teams. There will be a user that may act out the phrase which is published on a piece of paper as you move the people come in-management of betting your message. The group with items will then be proclaimed as the winner.Besides hide and go seek and charade, a large collection of cards and games are on the list of perfect possibilities that you could check into. Games incorporate Menagerie, Aged Cleaning service, Going, Jewel, Slapjack and many other. For board games, you can decide on Scrabble, Mentally stimulating games, Monopoly, Loved ones Feud and Pieces. When you have a lot of options to observe, you need to simply choose one that you would imagine is actually enjoyable.On the other hand, if you think participating in the game titles which were already stated aren’t going to be sufficient, it is possible to opt for alternative activities which many of the members of the family have hobbies and interests in. By way of example, if you’d prefer cookingPercook so as your family, you may make this pastime so that you can attachment with your loved ones. You can determine each one associate to try and do a clear perhaps the preparingOrfood preparation approach to ensure that absolutely everyone will cherish. Ensure that everybody actually reaches be involved in such hobby. As soon as foodis cooked properly or perhaps the food is prepared, you may take in it collectively together with the loved ones. Every person will truly be thrilled to have the fruit of the labour. In addition to bakingAndpreparing, also you can think about some other pursuits like artwork, belly dancing, performing, looking at, watching videos and lots of additional.These are just incredibly approaches to connection with the fam however, these really are powerful. There is no need available for you expend big money because easy points can surely deliver contentment to all people particularly if the family is entire. It is not genuinely necessary that these matters carried out every day. Weekly or possibly a few times every month are going to do.
Stankozavr ltd sell extruders, extrusion line PP, PE, PVC, injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, equipment for processing wood, crushers, mills, pots for recycling tires, rubber, sand blasting and shot-blasting (shot blasting, drobemety) equipment, film production, bitumen waterproofing lines SBS, vulcanizing presses, lathes CPU (CNC machines), the guillotines, and more. Stankozavr.com