- Drink Rehydrate.
- Wear lanyard/key.
- Music & Instrument.
Those words are being printed on a small, bright sheet of paper. Then the paper will be taped on the wall at eye level in my son's dorm room when he attends band camp next week.
Whoa! Mom's a bit overprotective, huh? Maybe a bit extreme? No... Mom's making sure she does everything possible for her autistic son to have a successful first trip to away-camp.
Signs, Signs, Everywhere there's signs...
In our house, as in many homes with special needs children, signs help us learn a new behavior. Signs (and visual or written schedules) can be a great way to help my son learn sequential processing.
There's the Morning Routine sign hanging in the boys' bathroom. It's quite the conversation piece for visitors!
Sometimes signs are reminders.
On the fridge, a memory from elementary years still hangs: "No picking or tearing of notebooks or clothing." That sign was on both his desk and his binder for a while.
Sometimes signs have a deeper message.
There's a Creed that hangs by my son's bed. This is about positive thinking. I created it in a fit of exasperation. Far too often, my son's demeanor was negative, like a grumpy old man. One day I decided: We will learn a new way to think. (Even if it was simply memorization, I knew the words would eventually seep into his spirit). So we say his creed with our prayers.
On the fridge, a memory from elementary years still hangs: "No picking or tearing of notebooks or clothing." That sign was on both his desk and his binder for a while.
Sometimes signs have a deeper message.
There's a Creed that hangs by my son's bed. This is about positive thinking. I created it in a fit of exasperation. Far too often, my son's demeanor was negative, like a grumpy old man. One day I decided: We will learn a new way to think. (Even if it was simply memorization, I knew the words would eventually seep into his spirit). So we say his creed with our prayers.
Did I want to hang these signs? No.
Do I think they add a stylish touch to our decor? No.
Do I think they add a stylish touch to our decor? No.
Will I hang a sign if I think it will help my son navigate successfully through this life? You better believe it!
Every day, my son makes great strides in his world. He's come a long way over the years. It's my hope he won't need signs and schedules throughout his house when he matures. (Barring some sort of art-deco obsession with signs).
With prayer, practice, and God's grace, he will be ready to face the world.
I'm sure of it.
I'm sure of it.
I've seen the signs.
Check out: http://www.handsinautism.org/pdf/How_To_Visual_Schedules.pdf if you'd like more information on Visual Schedules.
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