THEMES: Connect & Sequence - October 27-31st

Hello Synergy Guide Teams!

Good to see many of you over the last week or so. We had a couple of GREAT team meetings last Friday, including one which fully included our student in the meeting, who demonstrated her usual grace and enjoyment of being surrounded by many of you.

On Friday, I used an analogy of us being guides to move in a direction for and with our students... like a train leaving a station. We can take our time moving, we can support getting on, bringing luggage, ensuring understanding, etc.... but ultimately, the train is (you are) moving in a deliberate direction, a sequence, a schedule for the day which is full of wonderful adventures.  You can show your student the way and how to enjoy the view, the stops, the excitement, what there is to learn.

This quote (below) was posted today by an autism group on Facebook and I thought it was perfectly fitting for this analogy:

Bottomline, we are not worried about speed at Synergy. We wish to spotlight the role we have with our students, as guides. We wish to show them they can learn, grow, challenge themselves, and be inspired by the world and by you, their guide. One way we're currently targeting this trust in you as guides is to NOT speed up, hurry up, or rush but to continue to CONNECT FIRST. Then use your schedule for the day (however you offer that visually or verbally) to then move to the first activity. Then continue guiding according to the schedule or sequence of the day or time together, stringing together activities as much as you can, until you or your student indicate needing a break for sensory, exercise, snack, etc. Demonstrate and stay true to the sequence of the day together. For someone struggling with the environment being a bit chaotic or overwhelming, having a trusted person who gently yet confidently guides the way to see the sequence of things, could be such a relief and window in for learning in so many new ways!

So let's capitalize on the sequencing concept this next week and have fun with it!

I'll post more later but think about all the exciting sequences in every day life that we find so essential to our living:

Counting
The Alphabet
Planting seeds to grow
Taking items out to play with or manipulate, then putting them away
Writing our name
Starting a game, playing, then ending the game when someone wins (or there is a resolution)
Story lines!
Getting dressed
Brushing teeth

And so many more!!! Have fun with the theme.... focuses are on:

1.  Connect first and whenever needed for regulation and engagement
2.  Sequencing through the daily schedule
3.  Sequencing in general, in life, in chores, in leisure....

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns~
Barb