‘If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.’ – Ignacio Estrada
Did you know that I am a dog? I am a dog that goes to school. I have learnt so many things. I have learnt to do tricks, do agility courses, read, listen and watch. I watch all of the time.
Sometimes Lesley forgets to use the right cue for me. She might forget to use her sign and just uses her word. I prefer both. It helps me to think.
She sometimes forgets that I have to work really hard to work out what she is saying. I listen to her all of the time. She uses her hands and her voice. Sometimes I notice that she scrunches her hair and I know that means that she is having a tricky moment because I watch Lesley all of the time.
I am really good at noticing things now. I notice when Lesley picks up her keys. That can mean two things. It might mean she is going to leave me behind. It might mean we are going out together. So I watch.
I don’t always understand the words that people use. I have to watch and work things out. I watch all of the time.
Signs help me to know. Lesley uses hands and signs in case I miss the word. When other people work with me they try really hard to do it the same way. Sometimes it is different and I have to really think to understand what they mean.
Remember if I don’t get it right it might be because I haven’t understood and I am working it out. Find a way to help me. If you teach me in the way I learn then I usually can do a really good job.
How do you like to learn?
#peterhousepup #autismpedagogy #personalisedlearning
