Eustacia Cutler/ Temple Grandin
I’m reading Eustacia’s book A Thorn in my Pocket and love it! I see her speak this thursday and will let you know what she says, but for now get her book and read it. I loved chapters 7 and 8 especially. She’s so practical, intuative, passionate and loving. She was raising Temple during the dark ages for autism, but had and used many resources to help them both survive. A good lesson.
i should have thought of bugs before
Why didn’t i think to send dried edible bugs to school with my daughter before this!!?? It was a really fun way for her to connect with others at school, seeing who would eat the bugs and having lots of laughs about who tried but couldn’t. Where to get them? the specialty candy store or novelty shop- enjoy!
para meeting – this is the info that i thought was important to share
Family –Mom and Dad/adoption. Relationship with brothers/girlfriends, sitters. They are for fun, not “work”- outings, movies, museums, treats, shopping etc., but none of that would happen if belle wasn’t on her best behavior.
Behavior at home- happy, cooperative, polite. Doesn’t earn something for everything she does, but every privilege she has has been earned at some point. She does whatever I want her to do (but I try to make her think it’s her idea).
Words have a different meaning to belle- to us “ok” can mean “maybe, whatever, you’re crazy, ok, we’ll see, we will discuss it again later when you’re not so upset, or even no”, to her “ok” means “OK” that’s it.
Complaints- give me clues as to what she’s thinking and feeling, it’s my job to figure out what they mean ( I don’t take them at face value). I listen, not argue.
Theory of mind- can effect belle’s ability to cooperate, comply, show her work, accept praise, sensor her words, or consider the effect her words or actions have on others. She can’t put herself in your shoes, especially when she’s upset.
Presume- her love of learning, desire to get along, desire to cooperate, that she is a fun-loving kid. She is happy when everyone’s happy!
Consistency, rules, routine = happier Maribel
