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Instead of expecting neurodivergent students or employees to communicate by neurotypical “rules,” we need to restructure our way of thinking and ask ourselves: how can I better understand and accommodate neurodivergent communication needs in my classroom or office?
Read More“I still feel like I’m vastly under-qualified to be a parent; I am definitely vastly under-qualified to be replacing three therapists and a paraprofessional.”
Read MoreAs we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, skills regression is many teachers’ greatest concern for their special needs students, even more so now as they go longer without access to their usual supports, therapies, and programs.
Read More“For those of us with children with special needs, watching their struggle with 'distance learning' is a daily battle.”
Read More“The regression and the behavior that our children are going through are things I haven’t seen in years.”
Read More“We can’t let the program go. Families are suffering. The children are suffering. They have been doing it since before March break. If you have breaks, you can make it through. If you don’t, it’s tough.”
Read More“They desperately, desperately need the one-on-one interaction. When we’ve already had three months to show this is not working, to extend it another three months is simply sacrificing our kids.”
Read More“I’m very fearful of long periods of breaks throughout the year. He becomes isolated, he becomes more in his box, it will lessen his communication skills and socialization.”
Read More“I have a lot of concerns, you know, especially at this critical age in his development, that he isn’t going to be able to get the skills that he needs. Social skills has been an area that I think is especially challenging to address remotely.”
Read MoreNow, as we all are physically distant from one another, we have less opportunities to practice our communication skills. Many educators (and parents) fear that COVID-19 shutdowns and service suspensions will lead to social skills regression in their neurodivergent students and might not know what they can do to help.
Read MoreWe have been encouraged to practice social distancing and told to stay at home as much as possible — but that should not keep you from improving your communication skills. 85% percent of a person’s success in life is based on their ability to communicate; and, like many skills, communication is a skill you can lose if you fail to practice regularly.
Read MoreIf our students are struggling in the classroom, having a hard time connecting with their peers, and growing frustrated with communication limitations, there are simple ways that we can get involved to support them on their journey to better communication.
Read MoreThe use of questioning skills is an important area of verbal communication. By asking questions, you gain answers, understanding, and potentially acceptance for the message sender. If you want to become a more skilled communicator, ask open-ended questions.
Read MoreThe Wall Street Journal reports that today’s young professionals are expected “to operate on a more sophisticated level than graduates of the past…employers are looking for fast learners who have exceptional soft skills — the ability to write, listen and communicate effectively.”
Read MoreWhen communicating with others, I most often become frustrated when I feel the person is not listening to what I am saying. No matter how I say it, how many times I say it, explain, re-explain, or give specific examples about the topic, they are hearing me and not listening to what I am saying. They hear my words but not my message.
Read MoreWhen I doubted my communication skills, I never volunteered. I lived by a simple acronym: NAVY (Never Again Volunteer Yourself). By not volunteering, I was “safe,” so to speak. In my comfort zone, I did not have to worry about messing up or saying the wrong thing, but now it haunts me: how many opportunities did I miss out on?
Read MoreIt is important to remember: being able to make human connections through the communication process is key to personal and career success. Whether communicating verbally or nonverbally, communication helps provide the opportunity to get our needs and wants met.
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