Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Autistic Students Sharing Insights and Feelings using RPM



            Have you ever found yourself doing an activity over time and then, one day, a light bulb goes on inside your head? “I just thought of a better way to do it!” It’s such a simple thing. Why didn’t I think of it before?  This is exactly how I felt when I realized I didn’t have to focus solely on academic activities with Aiden.  I could use his Spelling words and sentences on the letter board and keyboard to have a dialogue with him about his feelings and insights. If I needed an academic reason, the sentences would give him a chance to practice his spelling and creating paragraphs.
            If I knew more about his feelings of anxiety and anger, it would help me become more sensitive to how I could help him. He could probably tell me exactly what he needs from me; especially when he’s upset.
            Soma wants him to write at least three sentences daily.  We begin our RPM session with him either choosing what he wants to write about or answering questions.  One of these sessions revealed the following:

ML:      Aiden and I had reviewed his social story about personal space and 
             muscle memory. I     then said, “Tell me something about either personal 
             space or muscle memory.

A.         Muscle memory is what I do when I feel anxious.

ML:      “What happens?”

A:         My hands grab other people’s clothes.

ML:      “How do you think people feel when you grab their clothes?”

A:         They do not like it because it makes them feel uncomfortable.

ML:      “What should we do when you grab our clothes?”

A:         You should remind me to take my hands off your clothes.

ML:      “Aiden, when I’ve asked you to let go of my clothes, you still hold onto
             them. What else can I do?”

A:         You can take my hands away.

ML:      “Thank you for sharing with me.”


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