Observation skills are one of the most important things an autistic child can learn. It will help them with so many other aspects of learning and life. So much so that I am a HUGE proponent of working on them regularly.
Our autistic children must have the ability to see and understand the world around them. When one can interpret a situation correctly, it allows them to quickly come up with an appropriate response. Likewise, when an autistic learner uses observation skills to find key pieces of information, it enables them to quickly make the new neural pathways to retrieve their learning easily later.
Teach your autistic children to use different skills in different circumstances, and to know which ones to utilize when. This is a simple process for you but they need to purposely work on it just like all the other executive function skills.
8 Ways to Strengthen Observation Skills
1. Give a preview. Tell them briefly what the scenario is (say, a night time owl hike) and give them a list of concepts, things to look for (sounds, locations, and vocabulary) as well as what to expect.
2. Give them tools. A clipboard, pen, paper, and a magnifying glass are an open invitation for observation! A digital camera allows instant recording for further examination for those who are still working on fine motor skills . Headphones keep their sensory needs on track. Remember to always presume competence then make modifications as necessary to make them successful.
3. Make predictions. In the scientific method, this is called creating a hypothesis. Have them guess what it will be like, write it down or tell it to you, so they will be tuned into looking for what they are hoping to see.
4. Get outside (the comfort zone). When anyone goes outside of their comfort zone, whether that is just the balancing on top of a fence, or hiking to the top of a mountain, senses are heightened. They will take it all in! Be prepared to bring them back to safety and end on a successful note.
5. Go multi sensory. Some people learn through sight, others through touch, and still others have to physically manipulate their world. Do it. Try new things. It also gives our kids several neural pathways to retrieve the information later thus enhancing their executive functioning skills.
6. Disprove something. Nothing gets kids fired up like trying to prove that an idea is wrong! Countering theories and arguments are a favorite pastime of kids developmentally in the 9-14 year age range. Turn those sometimes dicey attitudes to be used for good, and you will have active participants (as in #3.)
7. Try it blind. Or deaf. Drop one sense, and see what happens with the others. Taking away their sense of sight will force them to become more observant through sound, smell, and touch. Make sure they are comfortable with this scenario before trying it. A child who trusts you is more likely to let you do this!
8. Walk in someone else’s shoes. Exchange your own life for someone else’s. Have them trade lives with someone, historical or fictional, and then record it. This is great for video!
Every tool you give your child enhances their ability to self-educate later on in life thus increasing their quality of life!
