Parents of children with learning difficulty often struggle with teaching things at home.
Such at-home instruction is not necessarily homeschooling. Teaching a child with special needs at home might include anything from homework to table manners to religious beliefs. Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching a new skill or idea at home. Teaching table manners will be the example lesson used.
Is the Child at the Right Ability Level?
Obviously children are at a variety of ability levels. A group of six-year-olds learning table manners can represent a number of different abilities. The range is even broader when children with disabilities are included.
Think about the child with Down Syndrome. He may understand the basic concept of yes and no. However, he probably will not follow a lengthy explanation of why continually jumping up from the table is disturbing to the family sitting at the next table in a restaurant.
Address the expectations and feedback to the child’s ability level. Do not try to explain why the child should not move around from the table at mealtime. Instead, be clear and firm with yes or no. Follow through with consistent rewards or disciplines.
Does the Child Have a Level of Interest in the Skill?
A young child with ADHD may be very interested in table manners if he will be able to play on the playground equipment of the fast food restaurant when he is finished. He will not likely be interested in dining quietly at a fancy restaurant. However, as he is older, interests will change, and the fancy restaurant will hold a greater appeal.
How Can the Family Provide Real Experience with the Skill?
Practice the desired table manners at home, but also give the child opportunities to practice in public. When choosing the restaurant, take the ability and interest level into consideration. At first, choose a time when the restaurant is not crowded. Explain the desired behavior ahead of time. Make sure to give feedback as the meal continues.
Does the Child Respond to Song?
Very young children and many of those on the autism spectrum respond well to song. Check with your child’s teacher or with the local teacher supply store for CDs of songs that reinforce the desired manners. If nothing is available to meet the need, make up your own words to a familiar tune.
Like all learners, kids with disabilities learn best with repetition. Try to offer multiple experiences that teach the desired manners. No one learns after one discussion or one time of practice. Watch for the little steps in improvement.
