For Michael, eye contact helps convey emotions, build connections, and enhance understanding between individuals, providing a meaningful way to communicate without words. Especially because he is nonspeaking, eye contact became one of the first things we incorporated into every aspect of our daily interactions, and it serves as the foundation for our joint attention play therapy activities. He has gone from having no desire and avoiding eye contact to utilizing it meaningfully, intentionally, and purposefully. He now shares his love and joy through eye contact and can even read “between the lines” by interpreting different facial expressions and the nuances of eye contact paired with those expressions. This progress would not have been possible if we had simply assumed Michael "couldn't" make eye contact due to the common belief that it is ‘painful’ or ‘unnecessary.’ Because no two autistic individuals present the same traits, think the same way, or feel the same way, it’s important for us as parents to trust in our approach with our own children, and learn through our lived experiences what is best for them - all while also staying educated and informed in positive, child-centered parenting. Having said that, I understand why eye contact is often a controversial topic. Much like all controversial topics surrounding therapies like ABA or exposure therapy, the effectiveness and ethicality of eye contact training rely heavily on how it is implemented. Forcing eye contact in a way that causes distress or discomfort is counterproductive and harmful. However, when approached with sensitivity, respect, and a deep understanding of the individual child's needs, it can become a powerful tool for communication and connection. The key is to prioritize the child's comfort and autonomy, ensuring that any form of therapy is a positive and empowering experience. 📔 ebook: collection of Joint Activities that naturally promote Eye Contact in Bio Link 🔗 📌Teaching Dining Experiences and Concepts Using Modeling and Experiential Learning Introducing dining experiences to Michael was done effectively with modeling and experiential learning through gradual exposures to various restaurant settings. Given the Covid restrictions in place at that time, the crowd levels were significantly low, which was always helpful. To create familiarity and routine, we chose one specific restaurant to frequent. We would visit our local restaurant 2-3 times a week for short durations, ordering simple foods that are quick to prepare and arrive, like a house salad, house bread, and his beloved fries. This specific selection of foods made the waiting times manageable while he remained seated, completing the meal before we closed off the experience. 👑 Our Step-by-step Guide shared on the IG Subscribers’ Page 👑 #parenting #autism #ASL #signlanguage #nonspeaking #nonverbal #inspiration #motivate #autismawareness #autismjourney #neurodivergent #parentingtips #representationmatters #cute #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #parentingautism #communication
- Күн бұрын
For Michael, eye contact helps convey emotions, build connections, and enhance understanding between
- Рет қаралды 38
Пікірлер