Today Linlee started a social skills play group for autistic preschoolers. Actually, it was only Linlee and one other little boy this afternoon. Have you ever seen autistic children being led through a structured lesson before? It’s a riot. I actually felt sorry for poor Glenna, the therapist, although she was totally at ease with how ignored she was. Linlee and her little friend were very similar. Glenna tried to show them the visual schedule; they would not look at it. Glenna let them play with Legos and tried to get them to look at her and respond to questions; they were too busy building. (At one point she made a Lego tree and asked Drew if he liked it. He refused to respond. Then she asked Linlee if she liked the tree. Linlee said, “No.” Hey, at least it was a response!) Glenna tried to get them to look at what the other child was building; that was not on either agenda. Glenna asked them to choose a seat cushion and sit on the floor. Little Drew chose to line all six cushions up while Linlee stood off to the side watching and ignoring the instruction to sit down. Glenna read them a book; Drew played with other toys while Linlee played with the puppets that went along with the story. Glenna tried to get them to take turns with the building blocks while building a group tower; they did not get it. And at the end, Glenna let them pick a prize from the treasure chest. Linlee turned her nose at all the prizes and said, “I go car, ” (which means, “Let’s leave!”). Oh well, it was the first session. Perhaps next week will be somewhat more successful.
Linlee picked a strawberry from my “strawberry garden,” as she calls it. Ahh, summer…
Sounds like the playgroup is going to be a challenge – for the teacher! What a riot!!! Linlee looks so sweet in that bathing suit. What a cutie!!!
LOL! Funny that Linlee told the teacher she didn’t like her tree! From the description, it sounds like either a play group for preschoolers with autism OR maybe the adolescent group therapy groups I used to have to lead back in my school psych days! LOL! Well, except I didn’t have a treasure chest of toys for my group members…
L said exactly what was on her mind, and a great succinct three word sentence, that’s pretty good in my book. It always takes M a couple of visits before she warms up… she likes to play it cool like that, [chuckle]
christina
Oh, I feel for that teacher-that would drive me nuts. Sounds like she has her work cut out for her!
Speaking from experience (as you know about Scott, Colleen); when it starts driving the teacher nuts,,,,,she needs to immediately start looking into another occupation. Scott paid a huge price for that! Hopefully the teacher well realizes the children that she’s working with, and is ready to be ignored LOTS OF TIMES! Your strawberry sweetie looks so cute!
I am sure the teacher if she is good at what she does is prepared to be ignored, if not she needs to find another profession. I agree with willgoh2, Linlee spoke in a 3 word sentence to voice her opinion, that alone is super! Besides, this is just the first class and she doesn’t know this person yet, so maybe the next one will be better.
She looks so cute in her little bathing suit:).