Step into any classroom and you’ll hear it twenty times before lunch - ‘Pay attention!’
But did you know that it’s one of the least effective ways to ask autistic kids to focus?
Here’s why...
WHY IT'S A PROBLEM
It’s meaningless
What is attention? It’s often assumed that kids understand what it means, or can pick it up out of context . But even if they do know what attention means, an instruction like that is vague - pay attention to what, exactly?
It’s figurative
Some autistic kids are literal thinkers, and the phrase ‘pay attention’ doesn’t make much literal sense. How exactly do you pay attention? What currency is that, and who do you pay it to? Others are visual thinkers, and it’s hard to focus when your mind is full of pictures of money bags with ‘attention’ written all over them.
It’s confusing
Just because they're not looking at you doesn’t mean they're not paying attention. In fact, they may be able to focus better if they're not distracted visually. So while they may be doing their best to concentrate, all they're hearing is “you’re not paying attention”.
It’s premature
Kids with auditory processing delays and difficulties with switching focus need a few extra moments for their mind to register that someone has called their name and given them an instruction. It takes time to recognise the words, remember what they mean and what it is they're supposed to do when they hear those words. On the outside though it might look like they haven't heard or aren't responding, so just as they're about to figure it out they get interrupted with ‘I said, pay attention!’... and so it starts all over again.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
Learn the signs of inattention
Not all kids concentrate by looking at you and sitting still, so don't just assume that they're not engaged. I know when Attie's focused because he walks around something in a circle - me, the table, a chair. He has to regulate the sensory input from his body in order to free up his mind to think. Max on the other hand has hyper-focus, he can sit still until the cows come home... but he won’t notice that they have because he’s concentrating too hard on the task in front of him. He also listens better when he’s not looking at me.
Don’t say anything
Get attention visually or by a light touch and wait for them to attend (now that you know the signs). Try making a card that represents ‘attention’ that you can show them when you need them to focus. Sometimes the additional auditory input of 'pay attention' (or even calling his name) can be enough to jam the circuits and ruin their chance to concentrate.
Give them time
Don’t expect them to be able to drop what they're doing (or thinking) and concentrate as soon as you ask them to. Give time to process the words (or visual cue) and make the transition.
Allow them to concentrate in their own way
Give the option of focusing in a way that’s best for them. Let them walk around if they need to, or doodle, or stare at their feet, or wiggle in their chair, or squeeze a ball. Accept that ‘sit still and listen’ aren’t necessarily ideal conditions for every kid.
Explain what you want
Give clear instructions like “sit on the mat” or “look at the TV”. Help them to understand what attention is and what you expect them to do.
Figure out why it’s hard
Instead of exerting so much energy trying to get them to focus when you need them to, work out why they're having trouble paying attention in the first place. Are there visual distractions, like colourful posters or flickering fluorescent lights? Auditory distractions like chatty students or a ticking clock? Do they need movement breaks, a weighted vest, fidget toys or a wiggle mat to sit on? Are they having trouble understanding the work or the instructions, do they have visual disturbances that make it hard to focus on words on the page, or is it hard for them to look at you because you’re standing in front of all the toys?
It's really about the difference between
telling them to concentrate and
helping them to do that - so next time you find yourself saying 'pay attention' take a moment to see if there's a better way to get the message across.
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