Today is Day 1 of #31Days and of my 31 Days of Homeschooling on the {Autism} Spectrum series. Please bookmark my landing page, or enter your address in the blue bar above^^ to receive posts by email so you don’t miss any! And as with last year’s #31Days series, if this topic doesn’t apply to you or appeal to you, please just bear with me because I will still be posting occasionally on other topics as well, and this series will come to a close at the end of October.

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Call it fidgeting. Call it wiggling. Call it disruptive.

Whatever it is, they can’t help it.

The need to move is so ingrained in the Spectrum kid that there isn’t any separating their activities from the movements.

Movement helps sensory processing. They tend to be able to filter better or think clearer when they are moving. Some kids need to be doing something with their hands, while others will just disappear, like mine. To check the mail, let the dog out, change a light bulb. It doesn’t matter. One second he’s doing his math and the next, he’s not. His need to move is all-encompassing. We have learned a few strategies to help our son stay on task while addressing his need to move at the same time:

1. Allow a fidget toy.

A Koosh ball, 2 marbles in his pocket, even a Hot Wheels car with fat wheels to turn will give his fingers something to do while he is paying attention to his lessons. And he IS paying attention!

2. Get a wiggle seat.

This applies more to the younger set, but our son couldn’t get through Sunday school and kid’s church without his wiggle seat. Our children’s pastor was amazingly intuitive and purchased several for the kids who needed them. D1 took his from Sunday school to Kid’s church and then put it away when they were done for the day.

3. Take breaks.

It sounds like a given, but if we don’t give breaks, he takes them anyway. Better to give them than have him just head on out somewhere.

4. Keep a miniature notepad handy.

This is a new development for us but seems to be helpful. When he thinks of something he “needs to do”, such as when he notices the mailman drive away so he “needs to check the mail”. Instead he just jots “MAIL” on his mini notepad. As he collects these tasks during school time, he can go DO them when we take a quick break.

Recommended Resource for parents of sensory seekers and sensory avoiders:

What strategies have you found that allow your child to get the movement they crave while still getting things done? Please share!!

Back to 31 Days of Homeschooling on the Spectrum landing page.

Dawn

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Dawn is retired 20-year homeschooling Momma and hospital CNA, currently working on her BA in Technical Communication. She lives in Eastern Washington with her husband, the youngest 2 of their 6 kids, 2 yappy pomeranians and an assortment of backyard chickens. She writes here as well as at DawnMariePerkins.com (her personal/geek blog).