AWESOME Gem from the Archives

susiestar

Roll With It
I was looking for something in the archives and got hit with a bit of ADOS (attention deficit OOH SHINY) and found this instead. It is a test that a parent long ago had teachers do to illustrate what was going on in the mind of a child with ADHD in the classroom. I think it is BRILLIANT and an excellent illustration for anyone that doesn't understand ADHD and other problems with concentration.

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[h=2]How to demonstrate the confusion in your difficult child's head to the Educators[/h]
This is a very simple exercise that I do the beginning of each semester when I call a meeting of my son's teacher's. I bring half-sheets of paper, one for each teacher, the resource specialist, counselors, etc. I bring a sharpened pencil for each of them as well.

I then explain the following:

They are to write the Pledge of Allegiance and they have 90 seconds to do that. However, during this time they have to scratch off or erase every third word and rewrite the word and then every three seconds they must tap the top of the paper with their pinkie finger three times. I assure them that I will let them know every three seconds so they don't have to be concerned about the time.

There is absolutely NO WAY anyone is able to complete this task. You will find that only then does the Educator get any sort of idea of what is going on in your child's mind. The noise and confusion in the classroom, trying to do the best, trying to write neatly, etc.

I have a hard core rule about this and any teacher who will not perform the exercise is removed from teaching my son because that shows me that they are not willing to learn and understand. You will be amazed at how they listen to you after this.

I hope this is helpful in tackling the SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

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This was WAY back in the archives and I never did find what I was looking for, so I am off to search again, lol.
 
T

TeDo

Guest
Thanks Susie! That IS awesome. Might have to consider trying it with difficult child 1's teachers IF he goes back to public schools. I wonder how it can be adapted for those on the spectrum as well. THAT is where our staff get hung up.
 

susiestar

Roll With It
All I know is that while I have spent days exploring the archives over the last however many years, I had NEVER seen that. It just seems to be so clear an illustration. I think that it would work for kids with sensory issues (one neuropsychologist told me that sensory integration disorder is the mildest form of autism that we can diagnosis - no clue if he is right or this is a common thought among OTs/neuropsychs/whatever, just what he said) and kis with auditory problems. I know that when I have something itchy or too tight on or I am too hot, I have a super hard time focusing on ANYTHING. I have ALWAYS been that way but as the skin problems have gotten worse so has this as I am far more sensitive.

I do think that if nothing else it could give them some compassion. But I have given up on what I was looking for in the archives. Too much ADOS in me today.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
You can do the same thing with motor skills... for fine skills, bring in onion-skin paper, a really slippery binder (to put under the paper) and an oversized pencil... and then tell them they have to take the notes for the meeting, and if they miss anything or the notes can't be read... they get demoted. For gross skills, they are the note-taker with regular pen and paper - but they have to stand on ONE leg for the duration of the meeting. You can't do that? What do you mean you "can't". You can do it for 2 minutes, so you can do it for 20 minutes, right?
 

TerryJ2

Well-Known Member
Love it!
I'm always distracted by other interesting things when I'm looking for something else. You're in good company. :)
 
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