Leslie took the children to the Lakeland parade last Thursday while I went to dinner with my awesome Dad. I can’t imagine what she was thinking taking 3 kids to a parade by herself. The next day on the way to ot , we got this fantastic interaction.
Remember that in declarative language, you are sharing something with the child. You are not trying to illicit a certain response from the child, just sharing something with him. If you are looking for a certain answer then it is imperative communication. It doesn’t matter how you say it , either asking or inferring. If you expect something in particular, it is imperative.
Autistic children have deficits in declarative language. You have to hear it, process it, then think of an appropriate response. You have to look at the other person and infer what their meaning is and come back with something appropriate. Their brains don’t process all the needed info correctly so it has to be learned. Something that comes naturally to the rest of us.
If you’ve stuck with me this far, then enjoy the interaction. It made my heart sing! God is good all the time!
Leslie: My favorite part of the parade last night was the drums.
Logan: Hmmm, my least favorite part was when the fire truck came through and hit their siren. Remember?
(this is progress because he took what she said, processed it and came up with a different answer to keep the conversation going).
Leslie: I didn’t like that part either.
Logan: My fav part was the Star Wars float.
JoJo: Me too!
Logan: It was so cool, wasn’t it little man?
(awesome that he has come up with a nickname for JoJo all on his own)
