A couple of months ago, a little 3-year-old and his family came to visit me for an assessment. I spent an hour trying my best to regulate him. It was difficult to keep up with an active 3-year-old! His energy levels were way beyond me! However, it was a fruitful assessment and by the end of it, we were good friends.

I noticed the family was the lobby for a while. Later his mom informed me that though he was obsessed with elevators, he did not want to enter the elevator and leave the clinic. He told his mom with words and actions that he wanted to go back inside and play!

I was touched! He understood how the regulatory activities made him feel. He wanted to experience more.
He knew what he wanted. He may not have expressed it in long sentences. But he made sure his message was understood.

April is Autism Awareness Month. April 2nd is World Autism and Awareness days. We dress in up in blue, take to rallies in support for autism and even light up our famous or prominent buildings in blue. It’s all good.
However, I want to get a little personal.

The one thing I want the world to understand about autism?
Theirs is a differently wired brain, that understands everything. It may be unconventional and different from the norm. But brilliant, nonetheless.

Two words to remember? Presume Competence. Always.

This could be a game changer for you and your child. I couldn’t say it better than this image does.

 

Once you presume competence, you will have higher expectations from your child. Based on this you will provide many opportunities and those will enable your child or adult to show their competence.
Their competence will drive your perception. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Recently a study was published showing enhanced literacy skills in autistic individuals. I enjoyed going through this study.


https://as.virginia.edu/study-reveals-unexpected-literacy-autistic-people-who-cannot-speak?fbclid=IwAR3fN2Ujt2PZx-GLR_IBuifTYyacFIQFtlZ7cqAOhPciJEPswJKhPESuVSs_aem_AYNNdap8HSOMhBLqwsBk19_Yhb81Vptlr_vL-T-AsxaF2I4e0f0NyHSZaDqaSNZ5GZQ

So finally, the world’s catching up.
As a mother you may have felt your child’s competence. You’ve seen sparks of brilliance. Now studies are being done on the subject.

I believe autistic individuals are brilliant. I believe in the theory of multiple intelligences too!
We must learn to teach in a way they learn.

Here are 3 ways that you may find useful to guide your child (or teenager or adult) on the spectrum.

1. Experience based learning

Not everything can be learned through experiences, but a lot can.

Here are some essentials of experience-based learning

Experience based learning is about the whole person being involved in an activity. It involves something that’s meaningful or significant for the child.
Not just their intellect, but their senses, feelings and personality are involved while learning. Students should be commended for what they bring to the table too.
This builds trust between the student and their guide.

Watch this video of little Hari learning about ‘how much is enough.’
His mother, Poorna hands him water in a glass to fill bottles. He needs to realize how much is enough and stop when he reaches the brim.

Note how Poorna lets Hari learn from his mistakes. He overpours, but she doesn’t react and gives him another opportunity to continue to understand the concept of ‘how much is enough.’

You will achieve a lot too, if you let your child learn through experiences.

2. The one step ahead model

Image Courtesy: Dr Steven Gutstein, RDIConnect

 

I’ve found the one step ahead model to be an excellent model to teach our children. Whether it’s academics or sports- it works like magic.

He is not an RDI teacher, but watch how he teaches using the one step ahead model.

Both his students, Atharv and Aarav learned well!

 

He builds up the dance steps, one at a time and then puts them together so beautifully.
Like me, you may have felt like dancing when the music came on, too.
Take a look.

 

3. Focus on connection rather than activities.


Here’s a ball play based on building connection rather than focusing on whether all the adults in this video are successful or not. It’s a beautiful video showcasing adaptation to changes and building resilience.

 

Love the connection between Ruchika, her mother Suchita and sister, Riya.

Enjoy this one, too!

 

 

It’s all about the connection and not about the skill or competitiveness at all.

Coming back to the message I want to leave you with- Step 1 : Presume Competence.
Step 2: Equip yourself to help your child by using experience based teaching, the one step ahead model and focusing on the connect rather than the activity.

You see it’s about Empowerment. Yours and your child’s.
Let’s make this world a better place for each of our children. (or teenagers or adults)

Not just the month of April, but every month.
Not just April 2nd, but for ever