For those of you with literal kids who do not see teachers as authority figures in the sense that they'll challenge the version of a teacher's description of events or perception of events, how do you deal with it? My kid was right in everything he said, but he was also disrespectful and out of line. I have no idea how to help this one advocate for himself without crossing the line.
ABQ, I feel for you. This is my kid in a few years' time.
Suggestions:
1. Get it written into the IEP, if it's not already, that DS has an overly literal interpretation of language, give examples, and specify that teachers must try to give instructions in a way that he won't misinterpret, and be watchful for misinterpretations. If they understood him, the science situation wouldn't have happened.
2. Role-play it with DS once he's not upset about it any more. Or draw the scene with thought bubbles, as a comic. Help him see the difference between what he was thinking and what others were thinking.
That's all I've got... we work on this all the time....
Hang in there,
DeeDee
