I have been reading short social stories this past week that I typed on "Writing With Symbols" to begin the process of teaching Samuel's to greet others in a more socially acceptable manner. One day I had him read about how we might go about greeting people we do not know. I wrote the story to say, "Usually we do not need to ask people we do not know what their name is." Later that afternoon he exited the car at soccer practise, immediately went up to a woman he did not know, and said, "hello, what is your name?"
Like I mentioned in the comments of my last post, I am afraid that if I point out to Samuel how sad (or otherwise uncomfortable ) his questions and comments might make others feel, he will just add the question "Did I make you sad?" I have to teach Samuel only in positive terms, guiding and teaching him in terms of what he SHOULD do, not in terms of what he SHOULD NOT DO.
We attended a wedding yesterday. Samuel came along to the reception and got along nicely during the entire event with his helper. His new question, after saying hello, was, "Are you married?" Yikes! Once again, I am grateful that so far people have been very understanding and patient with him!
I just got Dr. Gutstein's book in the mail "Autism Asperger's: Solving the Relationship Puzzle" and am reading it as fast as I can so we can begin some RDI activities!
3 comments:
my husband says I don't do well with social greetings. strangers are always coming up to me and asking my name. it seems to be a common greeting- to ask one's name. "Hi. what's your name. I'm Sue."... or whatever. but they don;t really ask my name, they say "Hi. My name's Sue...." shake my hand.... I say "Hi." I have been told I am supposed to give my name becuase they gave theirs and its an unspoken question. I still don't do it. I hate assumed things. if they want to knw my name they can ask it.
I don't do well with asking back either. when someone says "Hi, how are you?" I say "Fine, thanks" I almopst never ask how they are in return.(sometimes I answer 'I'm grumpy today.'.. people are always thrown off becuase i actually say how I am feeling when they ask.)
I think as long as he doesn't ask how old they are, what they weigh or how much money they make, he is fine, personally.
(I'm back.... back to my homeschool blogging...)
I'm glad you're back Kaber!
Truth be known, I'm not the greatest with greetings or social situations either. Just like you Kaber, I'm not good about asking in return when I am asked "how are you?.. etc. There are many times after I have a conversation with someone that I realize I have done all the talking about myself and haven't let the other person have his/her say. I must appear so self-centered!
Sometimes I think, "Oh my gosh, my kids have to learn about all this stuff from socially awkward ME?!!"
Maybe I'll learn a thing or two myself in trying to teach them!
LOL. It is a reminder to me that I have some Apie tendnancies, too.
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