Friday, June 19, 2015

Between Spectrums

Occupying the Mind


Hey Readers

So yesterday I got back from the field. For the past week I worked with a group of kids who each have tough times in there lives. One of them happens to have autism. When we go hike to our next site he seemed to have a tough time getting his stuff packed and ready to go. It's not that he is incapable he's a very intelligent kid it's the manner of him having a lot on his mind. We would always tell him to get his stuff together but he just occupies his mind with his thoughts to keep him from packing his backpack. Sometime during the week the other staff member and I told him that he can occupy his mind by doing other things like hanging out with the other kids of his group, doing skills like making his fire starter kit, and especially pack his backpack. I'm sure that as he puts the effort into it he can do he lacks in doing and he can help his group and himself.

Those with autism have a lot that go through their thoughts like memories, TV shows, books, or their imagination. So if it looks like that they're not listening to you, it's not that their deaf or incompetent. Because they do hear and understand you. It's just they are in their own worlds thinking of many things. If you're curious as to what they're thinking you can ask them and some do tell you. But some don't tell you because of the fear of  being judged or mistaken for something else. You can tell them that if it's not anything bad they can tell you. And to help them occupy their minds on other things then sitting around and not doing anything you can have them do things like chores around the house or if they're writers to work on their projects. You can also encourage them to express their thoughts through whatever their hobbies are.

Now it's not a bad thing to have thoughts to go through your head. But sometimes your focus should be on things that need to be accomplished. Because if you have goals and want to accomplish them you need to put the effort into it. So I encourage you help those with autism to occupy their minds on things that matter to them as well as things to be done.

Feel free to comment here or on the Facebook page.

Thank you for your time
Tay Gallagher   

No comments:

Post a Comment