Sequencing activities
Sequencing is an important language and pre-literacy skill. We have done a lot of sequencing work with Zane, and now Zora needs help in that area too. She was having problems with the sequencing activities using more abstract pictures, so we decided to take a step backwards and make it something that was very concrete for her by taking pictures of “real life” sequences that are relevant to her. This is something that is easy to replicate by parents, so I thought I would share the concept.
As you can see, the pictures aren’t all great quality, but it is functional, is working, and it is easy. Take a series of pictures, print them up (doesn’t have to be on photopaper for this), cut them into individual cards, and have her put them in order and “tell the story”. I took longer series of photos that allows for growth. The first time she does this, just use 3 from each batch, and later you can build the sequence by adding more photos from the set. When taking pictures, try to take pictures that have some clues in them to help her determine the sequence.
(click on pictures if you want to see bigger images)
Drawing a picture
Making a PB sandwich a note here: with a super literal autistic kiddo, I would have been more precise…use a proper plate, the most used brand of PB, etc, because you are inadvertently setting “rules” in place when you do stuff like this with a child who is super literal. I didn’t bother with Zora because she doesn’t think like that (although she is amused by the lack of a plate). I also wouldn’t have taken pictures of her destroying the sandwich afterward because then it would have permanently been part of the sequence, but, again, she doesn’t think that way and it amuses her, so it is actually more effective for her (because it is engaging), but would be a real problem for Zane.
Swimming Lessons
Brushing Teeth
So, you can see the pictures aren’t fabulous or anything (and you could easily use even a phone camera), but it is simple to do, very cheap (especially compared to the board games/puzzles that target this skill) and effective. Going back to concrete pictures is good because you can teach them how to look for “clues” within the pictures to determine the order, and that skill can be generalized as the sequences get more abstract.
