I have just observed a boy in a class room I was visiting, (I was there for another child). He had, what to me, were obvious signs of a processing problem.
Due to these problems he had devised strategies to cope and there were certain associated factors.
1. He follows other people's lead physically i.e. he sees the rest get up to carryout what the teacher has said and then does what they do
2. He verbally copies what others have said e.g. Madison before him said she went to the cinemas so when it's his turn, he'll copy that.
3. He just picks a random sentence if asked a direct question and he has no lead to follow. He knows they want an answer and he wants to do that quickly
4. He has diversion tactics i.e. he'll discus what he's interested in, in the hope that whoever has asked him something will be distracted down that road. These are usually verbal but sometimes physical i.e. kicking the table in the hope we'll be irritated and stop placing demands on him. He hasn't yet used aggression or other behaviours which would get him removed from the classroom. I fear that's only a matter of time.
5. He is frustrated as he doesn't understand what's happening.
6. He is being teased about his problems
7. He is becoming anxious and as we know anxiety blocks understanding in children and adults
8. His self esteem is affected
The staff are kind, caring, capable and want to do their best. However, no-one has picked him up and no-one is worried. How many more children are there in our classrooms who are also struggling but the staff haven't got the knowledge, training or experience to identify them? It's very sad! The staff need so much more help as they just don't know what they need to be aware of.
If you are worried please give us a call 0844 704 5888 www.private-speech-therapy.co.uk
Due to these problems he had devised strategies to cope and there were certain associated factors.
1. He follows other people's lead physically i.e. he sees the rest get up to carryout what the teacher has said and then does what they do
2. He verbally copies what others have said e.g. Madison before him said she went to the cinemas so when it's his turn, he'll copy that.
3. He just picks a random sentence if asked a direct question and he has no lead to follow. He knows they want an answer and he wants to do that quickly
4. He has diversion tactics i.e. he'll discus what he's interested in, in the hope that whoever has asked him something will be distracted down that road. These are usually verbal but sometimes physical i.e. kicking the table in the hope we'll be irritated and stop placing demands on him. He hasn't yet used aggression or other behaviours which would get him removed from the classroom. I fear that's only a matter of time.
5. He is frustrated as he doesn't understand what's happening.
6. He is being teased about his problems
7. He is becoming anxious and as we know anxiety blocks understanding in children and adults
8. His self esteem is affected
The staff are kind, caring, capable and want to do their best. However, no-one has picked him up and no-one is worried. How many more children are there in our classrooms who are also struggling but the staff haven't got the knowledge, training or experience to identify them? It's very sad! The staff need so much more help as they just don't know what they need to be aware of.
If you are worried please give us a call 0844 704 5888 www.private-speech-therapy.co.uk
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