RE: Re: OT Teaching KiKI to read or sign?sorry long

May 11, 2006

> Would it be mean to not give it to her, in fear of her throwing a

> fit, unless she signed more?

I think something like 'more' is a perfect sign to make her use

consistently. My oldest son was actually more verbal than my youngest,

so when he would pull me by the arm around the house to get what he

wanted, once I saw what it was I would say it and have him repeat in a

way I knew he could (either the object of say 'want that').

My youngest son, not ASD though, did not develop any speech until 2. The

'more' sign was a requirement for him in any situation it was

appropriate. Even to nurse 'more' lol, it was very cute to look down

while nursing and see that sign coming from chubby little hands.

Language came very quickly after that.

I

> have been, but she is not stupid and knows that I will give in

> before she melts down into a puddle. Sometimes it is hard for us to

> tell the difference between ASD and a true manipulative tantrum.

You're right, these kids are not stupid, and they certainly can

manipulate. While I went into parenting planning to use a purely AP

(attachment parenting) approach, DH and I learned quickly that we had to

alter those plans with Noah, otherwise we were setting him up with some

very hard to change habits and behaviors. I think in many ways we have

to be more firm and consistent with them than typical kids. They don't

'grow out' of it as easily (such as sleeping in our beds-still dealing

with that one, lol), they just get more accustomed to it, making it

harder to change.

I would suggest requiring Kiki to use 'more', but not letting it

escalate to a huge melt down. If she doesn't do it the first time, even

though you know she 'can' do it herself, gently do hand over hand and

help her do the more sign while saying 'more', then you can justifiable

give her 'more' without giving in. Give her lots of praise for doing it

even when you 'help', eventually she'll probably start doing it on her

own more often.

Becky

mom to Noah (6, HFA) and (3, NT)

SCD 2 months

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