I Love the Gift....Yeah Right!

All kids like to receive gifts, right!?!  We expect our kids to open a gift, smile and tell the person "thank you" for giving it to him/her.  We also assume that kids will model our behavior when opening a gift, right?  Well, today I observed a student opening a gift (which I know he liked) and then proceeding to shove it in his desk.  As discreetly as I could, I redirected him to turn and face the person who gave it to him and say thank you.  This is just another reminder that some students need specific instruction in things that we sometimes take for granted.  The "hidden curriculum" involves so many aspects of our daily lives.  Let's remember that the next time we see a student pouting at a birthday party or unhappy or uncomfortable while opening a gift!

Expected and Unexpected Behavior video

Need help getting their attention?

This is a fun, quick activity that might help get a distracted student to focus and/or join a group.  Play follow the leader (stationary...more like Simon Says, but without saying Simon Says) for about 2 minutes and then let the students have a turn being the leader.  You can then quickly discuss how it felt to be the follower and how it felt to be the leader...consensus when I did this activity was that it was "cool" to have everyone looking at you (the leader) and copying what you do. Another student said he felt like he was "in charge" when students copied what he did.  Students also offered words such as "fun", "feels like respect" and "easy" when they were followers.  This activity can help students re-focus and is also an easy way to "make" kids be involved in a group activity! 

Polka Dots

Didn't your mother ever tell you NOT to wear colorful polka dot underwear with white pants!?!  Didn't she also tell you NOT to comment out loud if you saw someone wearing colorful polka dot underwear under white pants!?!  Of course she did!  Most of us have the ability to refrain from speaking about our thoughts on something like that, but not all of us!  Some kids need specific instruction on how to handle an exact situation...whether it be polka dots or a bad hairdo they need to be taught what is acceptable and not acceptable as far as comments go.  So, have patience with the kids who comment on polka dots...they are doing the best they can, one step at a time!

Weeds

Well it's been a long week....and it's not even over yet.   I have always taught my students to speak from the heart and be honest.  I have also taught them that when anger gets in the way, take a deep breath and apologize.   Happy to report that with a lot of reminders, they are getting it!  Unfortunately, it's hard to teach a student how to deal with a rejected apology.  A wise friend told me that sometimes we just need to "do some weeding" in our lives.  Someday they will get this too.

How to keep going.....

Ignorant? No way....just unaware.

I have the power to freak you out and I have the power to put you at ease.  All of you posses the same power!  I can make a face which causes you stress, I can offer a gesture to relax you and make you feel safe. My actions can speak louder than words.  Children with Asperger's need to be taught this....otherwise, they are completely unaware!

To introduce this lesson today, I told a story about a student who years ago jumped up on desks and began to disrobe.  My question to my group was, "what emotions do you think the other kids in that class were experiencing in that moment?"  Responses included: laughter, shock, sadness, crying, freaked out and unsafe.  I knew in the first 3 minutes of the lesson that they were getting it!  I dove farther in and asked the group if they thought the other students may have had "weird thoughts" about the student on top of the desks...they all responded with a big YES!

I had each student in the group think of some behavior they had displayed this past week which might be viewed as "unexpected."  They were each able to describe one with ease. When I pointed out that the kids sitting around them did raise an eyebrow over some of their behaviors....you could have heard a pin drop!  They got it....they were just unaware!

It takes a Ladybug!

Sometimes all it takes is the perfect distraction.  Issue: senses are magnified by several degrees in a kid with Asperger's.  So, to us it feels like 80 degrees, to them...feels like 100!

Heading out for gym class...student starts to spiral...says it is so hot he will die.  Tried my best to diffuse the situation...was semi successful.  At least we made it outside to the field with the rest of the class.  Seconds before an eruption....a Ladybug lands on his little, sweet hand.  I take a deeeeeeep breath and thank that little Ladybug from the bottom of my heart.  Happy kid/successful gym class...phew!  Yes, it takes a village, but sometimes...it just takes a Ladybug!

Asperger's explained for kids...helps adults too!

Smart kids, trouble writing

I work with several students who are highly intelligent and perform above grade level academically.  So, why do they struggle so much when it is time to write?  Even when given plenty of prediction for a transition to writing, they often tantrum and completely shut down!  Is it not "black and white" enough?  Are they that afraid of their thoughts being judged?  Is it sheer perfectionism?  Is it right brain vs. left brain?

What ever the reason, it blows me away that after a huge meltdown...which sometimes can last up to 2 hours, they always complete the assignment anyway!  What's up with that!?!?

The power of a gesture

Did you ever think that lifting your hands in the air in an "I don't know motion" could be so powerful!  Well boy did it get one of my students some attention today....negative attention that is!  Great teaching moment for us....not only do some students need things like this pointed out to them....we, as teachers need to handle our reactions carefully as well. 

Social Skills Club: Social skills lesson was hilarious today! I introd...

Social Skills Club: Social skills lesson was hilarious today! I introd...: Social skills lesson was hilarious today! I introduced the lesson by standing in a corner and talking to my group while burrying my face in...

Social Skills Club: Foxboro

Social Skills Club: Foxboro: http://foxborough.k12.ma.us/

Foxboro

Just messing around in Tech class!

http://foxborough.k12.ma.us/

Social skills lesson was hilarious today! I introduced the lesson by standing in a corner and talking to my group while burrying my face in the corner. I then proceeded to roll on the floor and kick my feet in the air. Some responses I got: "what the heck are you doing, Mrs. Buckner!?", "are you ok?", I have to say I enjoyed it too! We then discussed and wrote out examples of unexpected behavior (everything I demonstrated) and talked about how it made the group feel (weird, odd, uncomfortable). We also listed examples of expected behavior (sitting and attending, eye contact, staying still, calm body). The kids got it! They understood that their behavior has the power to change others' feelings! It was a great lesson....love it when that happens! :)

What is expected behavior?

On the schedule for tomorrow....what is unexpected vs. expected behavior?  There will be a quiz! haha

How do you rate my social skills!?!  On a 5 point scale (5 being awesome) what would you give me?

Bring it on Monday!

Looking forward to the work week!  Several fun social skills lessons planned!  This is the highlight of my day when teaching!  :)  I will let you know how they go....

rusty toolbox

So, in my social skills group the other day at school, we were talking about using the tools in our "toolboxes" and I said that I thought maybe some of our toolboxes were rusty.  One of the kids in the group replied with, "it's time to turn our rusty toolboxes into trusty toolboxes!"  I just loved that one!

new to blogging

I am new to blogging....seems very confusing!  I feel the same way that I felt when I started on Facebook!  I hope it gets easier quickly!