Magic Marker Monday

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Apologies for the blurry picture, the camera was on the wrong setting. [I wonder who fiddled with that?]

Anyway, I just wanted to mention that both my sons are logical thinkers. Numbers and sequences of numbers help in just about every situation:- first we do this and then we do that. It is by no means fool proof but a concrete message is far more effective than a lot of surplus words. There is something about expectations in black and white, or rather blue and white in this case, that helps smooth over many of their worries and concerns.

Of course a visual timer as an accompaniment also helps them understand that the end is near in sight, which in turn reduces their anxiety, which in turn makes them more capable of concentrating on the task at hand.

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Posted on September 14th, 2008.
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10 Comments

  1. Mary-LUE:
    September 14th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    This is really a great idea. One thing I like about it is it can help prevent “kid negotiation.” It is right there on the sign. No confusion.

  2. Julie:
    September 15th, 2008 at 7:22 am

    Love that! What a great idea. I may try it with Daniel! :)

  3. lceel:
    September 15th, 2008 at 8:14 am

    The one thing we’ve learned about our Asbergers boy is that lists help – tremendously. That said, the problem becomes getting him to list things for himself. And then, of course, there’s the actual READING of the list. As my Mom used to say – “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another.”

  4. Trish @ Another Piece of the Puzzle:
    September 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am

    Love making it into a math equation. We do okay with schedules and timers, but have trouble with rewards. (He would rather sabotage than take a chance on not earning the reward.) But this might take it to a different level for him…

  5. debi b:
    September 15th, 2008 at 10:41 am

    Ahhh! Great idea! I have a few logical thinkers as well :)

  6. Frog's Mom:
    September 15th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Perfect. A schedule, a math lesson, and a motivational tool all in one :0) Between this and the cat broach, rattle, whistle, I can see you have an affinity for multi-taskers!

  7. Lori:
    September 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    I love it! I wonder if this would work with my daughter. She stresses out if she doesn’t have a schedule, maybe I need to write something like this out to help her understand.
    Thanks!

  8. Heffalump:
    September 15th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    We are getting ready to make new signs for around the house to get back into the school year routine. I think I will have to try this for MY logical thinker!

  9. Childlife:
    September 15th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    What a great idea Maddy! Love how you slip some mathematics in there at the end too ;)

    ~Michelle @ 5MFSN

  10. Tanya @ TeenAutism:
    September 16th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    Brilliant! I’ll be trying this too!