Teaching emotional sharing through we do activities
We do activities is any activity where you are doing it together, both playing an active role, with focus on “sharing the experience” Focus on “emotional relating”, not task performance.
Creating opportunities for reciprocal, back and forth, emotional sharing.
Position yourself so your face is easy to see.
Useless words and more nonverbal communication that will invite the child to reference your face.
When the child reference your face so pleasurable expression and frequent gestures to invite emotions sharing.
Have fun and teach the child to feel safe sharing emotions with you; both in expressing and emotional communication.
The child with autism needs numerous practices at reading, feeling and sharing emotions.
Relating is about sharing emotional experiences with another.
Basic guldens for we – do activities
- Start with simple activities that the child already knows how to do, and enjoy doing them.
- Do task together, both taking activities roles.
- Work face to face, at eye level, to maximize facial gazing.
- Useless ward and more nonverbal communication
- Use your words to “share”, not direct.
- Focus on reciprocal interaction, entering together, and sharing pleasurable moments.
- Frequently celebrate “doing it together”, high five, thumbs up etc.
