Eye contact

This happened awhile ago, but I remembered it today and it just tickled my funny bone all over again!

Me: "Ok honey, I need you to look at me with your eyes when you say that sentence."
Kiddo with autism (and an extreme case of the Mondays complete with angry eyes and voice): "BUT I DON'T LIKE LOOKING AT PEOPLE WHEN I TALK TO THEEEEM!"

He was very emphatic. And cute all at the same time, I just can't help it! We proceeded to have a nice conversation about why it is important to look at people because, "It makes them feel good because they know you are listening to them," the day got better, and I eventually got some eye contact. 

I have to say though, it was refreshing to get an honest response about his feelings and frustrations. Because, yeah, he probably doesn't like looking at people when he's talking to them, and is that so wrong? I've been struggling a bit lately with this concept. I mean, basically society has put all of these constraints on how people are "supposed" to act and if you don't act that way your labeled. On the other hand we are all different, and I feel like we should be appreciated instead of admonished for our differences. Where is the line between different and disorder? (And yes, I know there's tons of research on this, and yes, I know I'm going a little off track here, this student clearly has autism and needs services, but I think it's ALWAYS important to question yourself and your beliefs and how you can best serve your kiddos) At the same time though, it is important for him to understand that his behavior/responses affect others and for him to be able to consider how others feel, and I guess this is where I come in, to help him unlock a little of the mystery behind interacting with others. 

Bribery

I was about at my wits end at the start of "Annual Reviews Round 1". This is because I was plagued by:
a) Students who would not take paperwork to their parents, despite begging, pleading, and multiple entries in their agenda.
b) Parents who would not return the paperwork.
c) Parents who would not return my calls.
So annoying. Annoying, annoying, annoying.


For "Annual Reviews Round 2" I took a different approach:
1. I mailed notices and corresponding paperwork home directly to parents. Not sure that my school appreciated the $2 per envelope price tag, but if it works, it works!
2. I included a pre-labeled envelope in which they could returned signed paperwork.
3. I included a "'Speech Buck' entitling your child to one free prize from the treasure box when signed paperwork is returned to Mrs. Gregory."
4. I baited my kids with, "I'm getting NEW PRIZES for the treasure box this weekend! If you return the envelope from your parents, you get first pick!"


So, did it work? Well, I'm not totally sure yet, but this is day 2 of being back in school since I mailed the notices out before the weekend, and I have already received half of them back! They aren't even due until the 21st, so that's even more awesome! Also what's awesome, is my kiddos proud faces when they come in waving their "Speech Buck". Now, if I could get them to be this enthusiastic about returning homework......Perhaps another challenge for another year.

Wonderful resonance resources

Here's a link to some very good/concise/practical/easily understood presentations from Ann Kummer at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Scroll down to "access seminar handouts."

All kinds of resources regarding evaluating and treating all kinds of resonance issues! Saved my life, seriously.

Your kids WILL sell you out

I blogged awhile ago about my implementation of homework folders. I was very excited about them, and thanks to a week of snow days was able to develop some for my artic kids as well. 

Now, I knew sending them out into the big blue yonder would not necessarily yield results. I am now getting a few back and realizing that only about half of my students actually did them (of course, the ones who really could have benefited most from them did not do any of them). My favorite conversation came today with one of my first graders:

Me: "Oh, wow C, you did all 12 of the activities when you really only had to do 4! That's great!"
C: "We ran out of time."
Me: "What do you mean you ran out of time?"
C: "We ran out of time to do them, so my mom just signed all of them."

Great, thanks.