Okay, now what?????????
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Okay, now what?????????
| Fri, 04-11-2008 - 1:23pm |
I have been biting my tongue a lot this week in my new attempt to not harp on Everett so much and give him some independence.
However, he has a big project due April 30th and he hasn't started on it at all.

The way we do projects in this house is Victor's got a week to get started on his own. After a week, he and I sit down together and map out a plan to work on the project. It helps that we do use Fly Ladies for this. Whatever we map out, we use a timer and we work NO MORE than 15 min at a time on it. Of course Victor is 11 and I don't remember how old Everett is, I'm sorry. He understands that 15 min of work earns him 30 min of play, then he's got to work 15 min then play 30 min until the planned section is done.
I agree w/ Alexis. You give him a set amount of time to get started, then ask what's been done. If there is nothing but planning in his head (which is something and should be praised), get him to take 15 min and type it out and explain what his ideas are and then help him come up w/ self deadlines to do a little at a time. If there is NOTHING, then sit down and plan with him, letting him help and work hard for a short time. Then, give him some space w/ ideas of what he'll do when. When the next 'self-deadline' comes, have hims show you what has been done (GIVE HIGH PRAISE, even if it's not perfect!). I usually remind verbally and w/ a 'work on project' printed w/ his initials on our family 'to do board'. If you need to get some things or take him to the Library for the project, have him write you a note or put it on your calendar so he's helping you. My kids know if it's not written on my calendar or I don't have a list for X, Y, Z then they won't be getting/doing it.
Maybe have him look at the Fly Lady web site and see if any of their reminders or organizational tools appeal to him. Organizational things and time management are usually difficult for AS and ASD kids. It's great when they start to show their independence and they might fail, but let him fail w/ lots of praise and a little guidance-- not just cold turkey.
Betsy
Thanks those are both great suggestions.