Dear Kerry, With any young people who are on what I sometimes call ‘the chaotic spectrum’ … the best way of helping embed abstract concepts is by using visual symbols. I have written a fairly recent book called, ‘Better Behaviour through Golden Time’ … and there are lots of suggestions for how to use visual symbols, including photographs and pictures. I hope you can get hold of a copy fairly easily – come back to us if you can't – and good luck. You are on the right path, you just need some more ideas. Jenny Mosley
Several parents in our community are struggling with their children at the local school.
There is currently Circle time and Golden time insitu.
My children and several others have special needs, autism, Neurofibromatosis type 1 and profound deafness.
The Golden time to the best of my knowledge has been celebrated on a weekly basis however there is a bigger celebration if the children can keep all their golden time for a term.
Sadly my children and all the others who have special needs have never been able to achieve such a goal in over a year now. Celebrations include, bouncy castle, trip to bowling with lunch included, afternoon tea with staff and the climbing wall. One of theses celebrations was outwith the school premises leaving only the children with special needs at school with one teacher. The other activities were at the school with special needs children removed from the area.
One child in particular has become increasingly destructive and has been self harming and eating so little because he thinks himself fat. He and others are also being bullied at school.
I am wondering if this golden time is being applied correctly and if other considerations should be met for children who are clearly having difficulties with it. Also what policies and ideas are in place for such children.
I would truely appreciate your input to what appears a distressing situation to parents who are looking on at their children at the school