Is it really daydreaming? When I was a kid, I was accused of daydreaming all the time, but when they asked me what the teacher said I could repeat it back verbatim. I just couldn't *look* at the teacher and hear her at the same time, you know?
If there are a lot of distractions, particularly sounds, that could be pulling Nathan's attention from the teacher's voice, because many ASD people cannot filter out background noise.
Victor is 11 and has since figured out a few things that will totally blow his mind and make school unbearable. He said the windows are too much of a distraction. When he sits near the windows, he starts thinking of the grass growing and the wind blowing and why do these things have to happen. He also noticed that when someone sits on his right, all he can think about is "I hope that kid doesn't touch me" but if the kid is to his left, he's fine.
Victor described what's going on in his head the best when he said "It's like I have a computer in my head that is constantly running and I can't find the power button." One thing we've done to try and help him, since he sees his brain this way, is to picture the computer in his head and say out loud "Power Down" or "Sleep Mode" and it turns off some of the distracting thoughts that allows him to stay focused in class. The teachers also write the class assignment and the homework assignment on the board and the teachers e-mail me as well his homework assignments or they get on teacherwebdotcom and make websites that parents can check for homework and long term projects on.
Victor's teachers have also developed cues to bring him back to focus on the teacher. One will cough, another one starts singing what she's trying to teach, and another still will just snap her fingers. It's what each teacher has found that works in their class.
They are talking about getting these headphones at school for my son. He has a lot of difficulty in music class with all the sensory issues. The teacher is also quite the diva so that doesn't help either. It will be interesting to see if it helps at all.
I have had the same experience during PPTs. The rest of the team is sitting in the conference room, sometimes as much as 30 minutes before they come into the waiting room as say "We're ready for you". When I get into the room it feels like I've stepped into a play and everyone has the script except me. Definitely not what I would call a collaborative team.
Michelle,
Is it really daydreaming? When I was a kid, I was accused of daydreaming all the time, but when they asked me what the teacher said I could repeat it back verbatim. I just couldn't *look* at the teacher and hear her at the same time, you know?
If there are a lot of distractions, particularly sounds, that could be pulling Nathan's attention from the teacher's voice, because many ASD people cannot filter out background noise.
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I am interested in any responses on that topic too.
I talked to Nathan today.
Victor is 11 and has since figured out a few things that will totally blow his mind and make school unbearable. He said the windows are too much of a distraction. When he sits near the windows, he starts thinking of the grass growing and the wind blowing and why do these things have to happen. He also noticed that when someone sits on his right, all he can think about is "I hope that kid doesn't touch me" but if the kid is to his left, he's fine.
Victor described what's going on in his head the best when he said "It's like I have a computer in my head that is constantly running and I can't find the power button." One thing we've done to try and help him, since he sees his brain this way, is to picture the computer in his head and say out loud "Power Down" or "Sleep Mode" and it turns off some of the distracting thoughts that allows him to stay focused in class. The teachers also write the class assignment and the homework assignment on the board and the teachers e-mail me as well his homework assignments or they get on teacherwebdotcom and make websites that parents can check for homework and long term projects on.
Victor's teachers have also developed cues to bring him back to focus on the teacher. One will cough, another one starts singing what she's trying to teach, and another still will just snap her fingers. It's what each teacher has found that works in their class.
I hope some of this helps some.
Alexis
Alexis - It's really interesting that you mention the computer scenario. My
We're dealing with the ADHD/ASD behavior thing too.
Hi Heather,
The school has not offered any other options, they had their agenda set when I walked in the door and it did not change by the time I walked out.