Finding the “gleam” using the DIR/FCD model
I am an occupational therapist using DIR . I took a DIR/FCD training about 3 years ago. It was an intensive 1 year certification aimed at teaching professionals such as myself, how to work with children who have different abilities. The training focuses on consideration of Developmental levels, Individual sensory differences and building Relationships. It was a very involved training, but using it changed how I work with kids in an intense fashion. You can read more about it here.
Fast forward to living in Guam. I worked with some really neat families. Kids in Guam have a freedom I never had. They are raised by immediate family and extended family. Play in the rain. Jump in the crystal blue ocean for a quick swim. They hike in the jungle with their friends.
The teachers in Guam are special too. They are family. Literally. It’s such as small island that your teacher could very possibly be your aunt. Children with special needs are provided for in a loving and nurturing way. They are also really well known by their teachers.
I have kept up with a particular student’s mom via Facebook. I love to read her posts about their adventures, their trials and tribulations, their challenges and celebrations. This is not much different than other kid’s families. His sensory challenges make his learning to be a longer path than neurotypical peers.
But non the less…they persist
Learning to use scissors has been a goal for this kid since he was in preschool. He was just not ready or having it. He would say “We’re not done yet!” and “I don’t want to” when he saw a pair of scissors. Yet, they did persist. He worked on hand strength with tongs and spray bottles, play dough and putty. They practiced with adaptive scissors. Regular school scissors. Ripped paper. Snipped paper. They did it all. And he hated it. But he did it.
I distinctly remember working with him and his 1:1 aide. I was trying to teach her about his sensory needs and his developmental level. How to match the two and encourage him to persist. She was a young woman with absolute love in her heart for him. She supported him. Worked at his level and was the whisper of encouragement when he was get anxious or frustrated. She just knew when he needed a break. Or some help. She was his anchor at the school.
I saw a new post from mom that he learned to cut with scissors independently. Apparently, he found ASMR scissor cutting videos highly satisfying and now he can’t get enough of scissor cutting! Guess who is sitting next to him snipping patiently away…that’s right his old friend. She used her tools from occupational therapy using the DIR method.
The gleam from within
There it was! The gleam! Ms. T contently sitting next to him, snipping paper. He does it for hours. He’s really quite good. All it took was finding the right sensory sensation. Paired with the right skill. And the topping was the right person to share it with.
