So currently in the UK many of our streets have been dusted with a sheet of perfectly white snow. Our roofs, cars and streets are coated. And unless you’ve attempted to commute to work this means only one thing….
Snow Day!
Now snow days, for anyone unfamiliar with this term, is how we describe a day off work/ school because of the snowy conditions! And thanks to our country for failing to have the resources to clear enough of the snow to enable us to travel. (Even when such weather conditions were predicted on the news weeks before!)
Families gather together in parks, making snowmen, throwing snowballs and generally enjoying NOT working or going to school!
EVERYONE LOVES A SNOW DAY!
Or do they…
Personally I was born in the summer and have always adored hot weather. So although I like the fact that snow is pretty and it brings families together.
I hate the cold. Like really hate it.
In the winter I don’t leave my house till I’m wrapped to the point of sweating!
And quite honestly I love what I do and would rather be working on a snow day.
This reminded me of a child I used to work with…
James was 7 years old at the time I was supporting him in his school. He had a diagnosis of Autism and delay in his speech.
Every Tuesday afternoon straight after the register was taken, the class of 30 would squeeze together on the carpet area for a story.
Every Tuesday afternoon when the teacher said “Now quietly tuck in your chairs and find a space on the carpet for story time.” The class would burst into smiles and make “Yesssss” celebrations to one another.
All except for James.
Every Tuesday James would glue himself to his chair and anxiously squeeze his fingers and thumbs together, looking in my direction.
James did this because, he hated story time the same way I hated the cold.
At first when I explained this to the teacher she struggled to understand.
“But he is able to relax comfortably on the carpet during story time and nobody is expecting anything from him.” She said.
She didn’t realise that…
…being expected to sit in a different place each week, expected to be silent, expected to allow 29 other bodies close by to him AND expected to listen without understanding the story (as the books were too complex)….
…..was in fact a HUGE expectation!
When explained properly I quickly went to work and set up a plan to help James feel more at ease during story time.
In tomorrows blog I will reveal exactly what I did…
But for now keep in mind…
The things that majority of children love could well be the things your Autistic child hates!
Speak with you soon until then,
Live every moment, Love beyond words and make a difference today!
Emma Ottaway
The Autism Support Specialist
