#Autism: It’s All In The Details

One thing that we’re doing with my daughter which works really well with her Autism is the Visual Aid thing. Before we got her diagnosis, we’ve noticed how she responds so easily with visuals. Talk about “Monkey see, Monkey do” on a higher level. TEACCH taught us how to do it and it has become part of our lives on a daily basis. Basically, we have to draw what she needs to do in sequence. “This first, and then that” or “dinner first then dessert.” Sometimes detailed words that are repeated a few times would work, but most of the times, especially at dinner time, we use the visual board. Being the non-artistic member of the family, this has challenge me to no end but so far I have drawn stuff that my daughter could actually understand. Thank God coz Mommy really sucks at drawing!

Since she responds well with visual aids it’s important to pay attention to the details. Like last night, I told Scott and Caine that either one of them draw dinner and cake pop while I help wash her hands coz they came from outside playing and well, her face and hands were covered in dirt. Once we got at the dining table Emma saw her visual board. It should be a plate of chicken pieces w/ cucumber slices on one side then a cake pop. Well, there are 3 cake pops on the 2nd side so naturally, my daughter didn’t stop last night until she literally ate 3 cake pops. I’m just glad she ate her dinner first. These boys need to learn that sometimes it’s all in the details.

PS: My son is the Artist’ in the family, next to Dad 🙂