Let the Repetitions Begin: Learning Takes Practice

   Patience is a virtue and when dealing with kids with special needs it is a necessity. Of course anyone who is working with special needs children needs patience to deal with the day to day routines and situations that occur, but what is most important is patience in seeing the fruits of your labor.  Change and improvement does not happen overnight or with just a few trials. It takes repetitions and consistency: patience.

   When I started in special education one of the most important things I heard in one of my classes was a comparison one of the instructors made.  I wish I could find the notes, so I could credit it correctly.  It takes a general education student a minimum of 3-7 repetitions to put something learned into memory. For a special student with a learning disability or other special need it can take from 100-1000 repetitions.  Ok now let that sinks in.  That takes patience, both on your part and the child’s. It also takes creativity. For a child with autism, who does not mind repetitiveness it is not very difficult to get the repetitions. For a child with ADHD or other disabilities it can be a challenge to keep them engaged enough to get the necessary repetitions. Luckily, with some of the computer programs available today, it is a bit easier.

   Behavioral changes are no different than academic improvement.  It takes time for the new skills to become habit. The child has to have to process what is being expected of them and when.  It is also necessary for the child to learn how to apply the skills to different situations. Transference takes time. It is important to continue to praise the child along the way as they develop and try to use the skills even if they do not use them correctly. You do not want them to give up trying, just as you wouldn’t if they tried a math problem and did it wrong.  They need to know that you have the patience to see through their learning this new skill.

  Remember all these small steps add up.  You will be able to look back in a year or so and see great changes.  It is amazing what these kids can and will do with a little patience love and support.

For more information you might want to start here:

http://www.yale.edu/eglab/pdf/PaulReprint.pdf

http://www.audiblox2000.com/learning_disabilities/overcoming_learning_disabilities2.htm