Follow The Rules

Our children can find it difficult to hear, listen or process verbal instructions when in a busy, overstimulating environment. At times such as these it is helpful for us to make our communication with them, as clear and simple as we can. 

We can do this by using short simple sentences, using makaton signs as we speak and even using visual cues such as symbols. When phrasing our sentences, we focus on what we want them to do, or know, rather than what not to do.  When a child is struggling to understand what is being asked of them it is common that they will only hear or recieve the last word in a sentence.

So for example, instead of saying:

"Don't run!"

We say

"Good walking"

It is a subtle change but can make all the difference.