"The window" through the eyes of a child on the spectrum
As a professional in the field and working close with many families living with ASD, understanding the world through a “different window” is one of the most critical things a parent can come to understand. What does this “different window” mean? The unique part of the world of Autism is that no two windows are alike. The key is to follow the child’s lead to and to see what their “window” view is like and to use it as their strength and not a weakness.
Having the pleasure to work with so many little ones, it was essential during therapy to find out what motivated them, what would make them want to communicate via gestures/signs, verbal language, and/or all communication modes. What may be the perfect reinforcer for one child, may not be so for another, and that’s ok! The important thing is to see what motivates them, understand their “window,” see through it and embrace it. It may be very different from our own.
Kimberly Lydtin
M.A., CCC-SLP