The Baseball Game

So John is afraid of fire drills. He found out there was going to be one at school yesterday and we had a meltdown before school. How did I get him out of his funk? I went to his world...

Well, John, life is a baseball game. When it's your turn to bat, you can't just hide in the dugout because you're afraid of the pitcher. The pitcher might be a bully at school, a hard test, a scary ride at Disneyland, or a fire drill. Even if the pitcher seems scary, you have to step up to the plate. Sometimes you might strike out, but sometimes you hit a home run. The umpire is there to make sure the rules of the game are followed. Can you imagine if the umpire wasn't there? Well, I'm the ump, John. I might make bad calls sometimes, but that doesn't matter because whatever call the ump makes is the official call of the game. Sometimes those calls are going to be quiet and sometimes those calls are going to be loud. Sometimes, I'll tell you to just go take your base.

Your coach is Jesus -- he can't play the game for you, but he's there helping you along the way. (like the first and third base coach, mom?) Yes, John. Your team is your family and your friends and they are in the dugout, cheering you on as you step up to the plate. They'll be there to tell you it's ok if you strike out and to celebrate with you when you make a great play. But, you have to take your turn at bat... you can't sit out the game in the dugout. Everybody gets their turn at bat -- remember that. Remember that even though you might have two strikes against you, you still have another swing. When it's your turn in the dugout and someone else is up to bat, encourage them to do well. Now, go to school and hit a home run for me ok?

J: Mom, baseball is my happiest memories. Thanks I'm calm now.

After school, "Mom, I hit a home run today. I'm no longer scared of fire drills. I just needed one more experience to make the play. And, I moved up to yellow (behavior scale at school) It's been a great day".

I love that kid.

Pinterest Board: Autism Strategies

Here is a link to a Pinterest Board on Autism Strategies.  Great ideas here.

http://pinterest.com/mrsdeming/autism-strategies/

Classroom

Found this blog through Pinterest.  Wanted to share.  It's a teacher's design for her classroom to help one child with ASD, but made the changes to benefit everyone in the class.

http://newadventuresinfirstgrade.blogspot.ch/2011/09/where-it-happens-wednesday.html