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Trouble with nonverbal cues, e.g., body language, poor coordination,
clumsy
Signs and Symptoms
- Has trouble recognizing nonverbal cues such as facial expression
or body language
- Shows poor psycho-motor coordination; clumsy; seems to be constantly
“getting in the way,” bumping into people and objects
- Using fine motor skills a challenge: tying shoes, writing,
using scissors
- Needs to verbally label everything that happens to comprehend
circumstances, spatial orientation, directional concepts and coordination;
often lost or tardy
- Has difficulty coping with changes in routing and transitions
- Has difficulty generalizing previously learned information
- Has difficulty following multi-step instructions
- Make very literal translations
- Asks too many questions, may be repetitive and inappropriately
interrupt the flow of a lesson
- Imparts the “illusion of competence” because of
the student’s strong verbal skills
Strategies
- Rehearse getting from place to place
- Minimize transitions and give several verbal cues before transition
- Avoid assuming the student will automatically generalize instructions
or concepts
- Verbally point out similarities, differences and connections;
number and present instructions in sequence; simplify and break
down abstract concepts, explain metaphors, nuances and multiple
meanings in reading material
- Answer the student’s questions when possible, but let
them know a specific number (three vs. a few) and that you can
answer three more at recess, or after school
- Allow the child to abstain from participating in activities
at signs of overload
- Thoroughly prepare the child in advance for field trips, or
other changes, regardless of how minimal
- Implement a modified schedule or creative programming
- Never assume child understands something because he or she
can “parrot back” what you’ve just said
- Offer added verbal explanations when the child seems lost or
registers confusion
Excerpted from the LDA of California and UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
"Q.U.I.L.T.S." Calendar 2001-2002 |
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