AboutEttina Expertise I can't answer 'biomed' questions. I can answer questions about behavior, what it's like to be autistic, specific subtypes (especially PDA) and educational methods
Experience I have PDA, a form of autism. I have also read a lot about autism, from the internet, books and medical journals. I've also worked with autistic kids as a volunteer.
Question Hi Ettina,
Please, Sally is one of the older children and likes to assist in organising and playing games with younger children. I would like her to organise some simple indoor games to play with younger children in the afternoon.
How would I e help Sally to share her ideas, discuss limitations and solve problems that may arise in the indoor games she wishes to organise? If some of the ideas cannot be made due to resource limitations, safety factors or legal requirements, how would I acknowledge this and discuss possible options and alternatives with Sally?
Thank you for your help Ettina
Regard Emma
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Answer You haven't given me very much information about Sally. I can give general advice on how to guide a child through this kind of decision-making process, but without knowing more about Sally, I can't judge whether my advice will be applicable to her.
Basically, my idea is to have two stages. First, you and Sally brainstorm and try to think up ideas. Any idea, no matter how impractical, is allowed in this stage, and you write down a list of possibilities.
Then, when there's a good list, you and Sally discuss each item and cross off ones that aren't possible, and figure out ways to do the ones that are possible. Be positive, saying things like 'well, that sounds like fun, but...' instead of 'that really won't work', and also explain exactly what the problem is - maybe Sally can think of a solution! Eventually, you should have an idea that appeals to Sally and the two of you can pull off.
