Welcome to my "Ask Me Anything" blog post series!
I answer lots of questions on my social media channels, and it makes sense to share this information (anonymously!) in case it is useful for others, too.
"Hello! I really love your content, and it gives me so many good resources to support my students! I have one question to ask, please. I have a student who takes their shoes off and fights putting them back on. I have created a picture story to show her that this isn’t correct behaviour, tried making a song about it, and putting them back on myself, but nothing works. The shoes are the correct size."
I have had this with a student. I don't have a magic wand - sometimes we go barefoot because on that particular day, it’s not worth the battle!!
But…I have found some ways that help:
-
- Allow a lot of time so you don’t have to rush the process. (I started getting him ready one hour before)
- I put shoes on at the absolute last second, often just as we are literally at the door step
- I use a now/next board to show “shoes on”, then show what you are doing next and make it be the next thing they REALLY enjoy
- Practice wearing shoes in the house as part of a game. A shoe on/off game to get them used to the process without the pressure of transition and timings added to it. The number blocks two songs have the lyric “one shoe just won’t do”, we sing this together and play out needing two socks and two shoes on. We did this inside through play at first; now it works outside the home too.
- I allow them to take their shoes off as soon as they can, in the car, in the house, in school, in the gym, at soft play, etc.
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
*I am not a doctor or medical professional, so for some questions, you might want to contact your GP, the National Autistic Society, or the NHS.
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