FAQautism

A mom of a fifth grader with autism is concerned. Her daughter is either unable or unwilling to follow directions at school and at home. Mom isn’t certain if her daughter is purposefully ignoring the directions or if she is distracted. Is she being stubborn or lazy, or is she inattentive or unmotivated? How much of the problem is associated with her age and how much is associated with her autism?

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There are so many reasons why a person with autism might not follow a direction. Family members, teachers, and therapists might consider any or all of these factors.
(1) It might be that the youngster doesn’t hear the direction because she isn’t paying attention.
(2) She may not hear the direction because there is so much auditory input swirling around her (television, other kids, dogs barking, phones ringing, school bells, and so on.)
(3) It may be that she doesn’t want to follow the direction. If she is strong-willed, she might just refuse to follow a direction unless it is her own idea.
(4) She may be resistant to change, so it is easier for her to just keep doing what she is doing.
(5) It may be that she gets more attention from busy parents and teachers if she doesn’t follow directions. Granted, fussing at her and repeating instructions is negative attention, but it is attention.
(6) On some occasions, it may be that she doesn’t understand exactly what you want her to do or it might be that she simply doesn’t process the language.
(7) Sometimes she might not know how to get started. He may not have the executive function to take the first step necessary to accomplish a task.
(8) Two-part instructions can be confusing for some kids. For example, if you say, “You need to get dressed before you come eat breakfast,” she may just hear the last part of your sentence and come bounding into breakfast in her pajamas.

It is up to us to avoid assumptions and to take time to figure out what is wrong. Look at the situation and the surrounding circumstances to determine factors that are preventing your friend with autism from following instructions. We hope you will join the conversation, sharing challenges and strategies. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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