Aug 11 2008
Teaching Responsibility
Because of certain influences (which I will blog about at a later date) my husband and I decided that it was time that the children could handle some household responsibilities beyond just straightening up their rooms every night before bed. So last week they were given ‘jobs.’ Gus’s job is to sweep out the bathrooms.
How did we come up with that? Well, he’s always taking the broom to play with, so it seemed a good way to give him something productive to do with it.
I typed up a step-by-step list of instructions for his task, from getting the broom and dust pan to putting the things back where they belong. The first week (last week) I walked him through the process and showed him the most effective way to sweep (pulling the broom instead of pushing). This week, I stayed close by, but he did most of it by himself. This is a big win! But it gets better!
After doing the upstairs bathroom, he wanted to do the downstairs bathroom. Then he wanted to help me fold laundry, which I showed him how to do. Then he wanted to help put away the laundry. He even asked to help make a loaf of bread.
So what this tells me is that a) he was totally capable of handling the responsibility and b) he felt empowered by being allowed to help out and c) he has found some new things that he can be successful at. It may not be a big deal to most people, but for someone who struggles so much at every turn, it’s pretty amazing.
So don’t be afraid to entrust your child with Asperger’s or autism with some household responsibility. Having something that they can do and contributing to their world can be a great thing.
Gus is doing good. I am glad to hear he is doing so good with his new found responsibilities.