Yesss......
First off, if I had selected you to be his "one on one" you would have been given a quick, refresher course on his likes and dislikes. And how frequently he "ran through " each of them. This would be written down on a paper that you could go back and refer to, time and again. Those "likes" would have been your reinforcers for positive behavior.

Toys that are specifically made for sensory stimming are great. They come in very handy when you need to occupy your child's time for a little while. Emphasis on "little while." They are not meant to be used "instead" of the program that all the other children are engaged in. They are meant to give your child time to calm down, relax, focus, and be engaged in whatever activity the parents/teaching staff is utilizing at any given time

Then, as you experienced, your child seemed to need to leave the activity for a while, and run off energy, or just simply exercise. My experience in the early days was that my child needed more recesses and more PE times than the " typical" children. At first glance, I thought that I was being asked to be very lenient, or "soft" on this child. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Children on the Spectrum need more physical activity than their typically developing peers. Many of the children on the Spectrum benefit from massage therapy, heavy pressure, and other therapies that relieve sore, painful muscles. My Grandson loves heavy pressure on his head, back, and legs. We make a game out of it. Researchers tell us now that when a child learns through play, it only takes a relatively short period of time to learn the presented material.

If I had been with you back then at the club, you would have been given a little poster board with his schedule of activities clearly labeled for the day. So many check marks to the side would permit him access to one of his recess times. Or so many small candies, stickers, or minutes with the pet rabbit!
Reward. Not punishment. When the child sees the daily schedule and is reminded that he gets a reward after so many checks, he begins to see that his actions have positive consequences.

There is more. Much more. Lord help you if you have a "runner"as I did. Be sure to wear your running shoes and connect with all the other teachers at the facility so they know that your child may have no fear of danger whatsoever. Safety measures must be in place and every adult on staff must understand what they are there for.

I am well aware that this all seems like a lot. But once you and your charge settle in, it is so worth it.

We are better together!!!

Mamacita Jane

Jump to this post