Many students in class struggle with attending, self-regulating their bodies, have poor self awareness of their emotions, thoughts and behaviors. They often have big reactions ( melt downs) to minor difficulties and struggle understanding their own feelings as well of those of others. They often display anxiety, nervousness and are easily overwhelmed. They can be rigid . This is the nature of Autism. Students can be taught to become more attentive, self - aware & self-regulated learners but this needs to be done explicitly. Teaching secular mindful lessons and strategies followed by daily practice is needed to help them understand and practice how to focus their attention and notice their inner thoughts, feelings & impulses. Teaching mindfulness lessons is proven to be helpful in these areas and more. It is our hope that the students learn and practice focussing their attention by the time they leave Room 15 when the unique push in services we provide stops . These mindful lessons along with the Social Thinking ® curriculum which is also explicitly taught and practiced in 'Pirate Club' are to assist the children to become more attentive & self-aware. It is our hope they will be more able to self regulate and understand the behaviors of themselves and others by using specific skillful strategies that are shown to reduce anxiety enough to help them respond rather than react in situations.
Healthy Habits of the Mind Video