I was able to set up a routine with the thermometer, we have the old classic glass with mercury model. Showing him how to get it under his tongue, then keep it there until the timer beeps was interesting. After the first time and setting up the routine the rest was pretty easy. We have an old office chair with dirty mustard colored faux leather coverings. On telling him it was time to take his temperature, he would dutifully sit on that chair and hold the thermometer in place while I set the timer. The duration of metering was punctuated by giggles on his part. Followed by a fever reducer and more liquids.
We have found sports drinks to be pretty good hydration when our kids are un-well. As Connor was set up on the couch with cartoons playing, I exercised his our newfound skill set of leaving him alone for short periods of time. When working with an autistic child you have to realize that they do not catch on to life lessons obliquely. That is to say, he has not been exposed to enough situations to know how to properly react. For example, "home fire drills."
As a good custodian of your family having a plan in place for what to do in case of a fire and were to meet afterwards can save the lives of young kids. Now consider that the concept of the house on fire is very difficult to convey. This can trigger a lot of fear in the sense, Connor could either understand that this COULD happen versus it WILL happen. So suddenly this place he feels safe is now a source of anxiety. If the exercise is not handled correctly.
So, I headed down to the nearby store and bought some sports drinks for Connor. The round trip is about three miles with a total travel time of five minutes, add to that another ten to get into the store, pick up the items and buy them. I figure ten to fifteen minutes passed in total.
Upon arriving home, I see Connors beaming face through the kitchen window. I also note the stove is on, which increases my heart rate. He has never turned the stove on before...
Getting inside I observe he has set up everything needed to make some Box Macaroni and Cheese. Also, he is quite proud and stated that he was going making the food. He had the right size pan and it was filled with the correct amount of water. He turned on the right burner as well (something I have an occasional issue with). So now comes the quandary. Do I chastise him for daring to cook food, or do I point out how to be safe when cooking Mac?
I decided that teaching would be the best route and was quickly overwhelmed at the number of factors that are just taken for granted. Trying to cover everything and insure comprehension is nigh impossible. Looks like there is lots of repetition of safe cooking Mac in my future.
6 comments:
Skip the macaroni flambe if you can....Other than that, sounds like a good decision. Understanding that fire is a valuable tool that can als do great damage is a pretty good lesson, I'd say.
wow he tried doing something that extensive on his own? go connor. Unfortunately it woulod have been better with you there. But a lesson learned.
It's one of his favorite things, and he will usually ask one of us to make it. We let him set it up, but this was the first time he attempted to cook it.
He *is* learning cooking at his class in school - It's a Developmental Learning Center, so it's heavy on Life Skills.
I think he's getting used to doing something like this on his own.
I think I'll try to work with him on making pancakes too - the electric griddle is less likely to burst into flame if you leave something like an oven mitt on it.
wow. pretty scary, but at the same time pretty neat! He is learning something that can make his life easier! And yours too!
Kaleigh and Cole are still afraid of the stove! Kaleigh is also leary of the hot glue gun and blow dryer! We don't use it that often except Carl who uses it daily....
hehe
Connor rocks! Sounds like he does a better job than me cooking mac and cheese.
BTW an old office chair with dirty mustard colored faux leather coverings? How 70s of you! =)
It's such a sturdy chair! It was in my dad's office in, you guessed it, the 70's!
I fully intend to reupholster it eventually. In the meantime, it matches the dirty mustard walls of our living room, which also need painting. It's the last room to do... It had the only 'normal' color in the house when we moved in (vs. dark taupe, bright orange/pink and lime green).
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