Please join me daily and have a follow-up discussion with your child.
THE HIDDEN CURRICULUM
Items for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations
Source: Brenda Smith Myles with Megan Duncan
Autism Asperger Publishing Company
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Thursday, Mar. 4: Your parents might remind you several times to do something if you don't do it the first time. Your teacher may expect you to do what you're told right away.
Friday, Mar. 5: It might be tricky to pick out the correct clothes, depending on the weather. Try to check the weather forecast for the next day and plan out what you will wear. Note: The weather forecasters are not 100% correct.
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Monday, Mar. 8: If someone touches, tries to touch, or asks to touch your private parts, tell a trusted adult immediately.
Tuesday, Mar. 9: Even if you know the answer to a question in class, it is not appropriate to blurt out the answer if the rule is to raise your hand first.
Wednesday, Mar. 10: When emptying your tray in the cafeteria trash can, if you accidentally throw away something that is important, ask for help to retrieve it. It is not a good idea to just start going through the trash.
Thursday, Mar. 11: If someone has been nice enough to share a piece of gum with you, it is not appropriate to complain about the flavor. If you don't like the flavor of the gum being offered, just say, "No, thank you."
Friday, Mar. 12: Most of the time, your classmates do not want to hear the details of when you were sick. It is best to say, "I was not feeling well."
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Monday, Mar. 15: Some people celebrate different holidays or celebrate holidays in different ways than you are used to. No one holiday is more "right" than others, and there are different ways to celebrate a holiday.
Tuesday, Mar. 16: If you find a bag or box in an unusual place at school, do not open it. Notify your teacher immediately. It is probably something someone just misplaced, but it is not your responsibility to determine that.
Wednesday, Mar. 17: Thinking about what you want to say before you say it may prevent you from saying something you will regret later.
Thursday, Mar. 18: To avoid being bumped by the crowd leaving a concert or game, it may be better to stay in your seat and let most of the other people leave before you do. Another idea is to leave a bit early.
Friday, Mar. 19: If you are in a cooking class or another class where you make food items, it is not acceptable to eat all of the food you make unless your teacher gives you permission. The other people who helped you cook will want some of it, too.
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Monday, Mar. 22: Your parents work hard to make certain you have what you need. It is not a good idea to tell them they are mean when they won't give you something you want.
Tuesday, Mar. 23: If you have a school-issued identification card and need it for school events or in the lunchroom or library, keep it with you all the time at school. Just because you know the librarian or cafeteria workers, you will still need to show your I.D., if that is the rule.
Wednesday, Mar. 24: If you are looking for your belongings at the Lost and Found Department, make sure to take only what is actually yours.
Thursday, Mar. 25: Some people are able to make musical sounds with their mouths. If you want to try to do this, practice at home. A concert is not the appropriate place to practice.
Friday, Mar. 26: Listening is a life skill and can be different than hearing. You may be able to hear the words someone is saying, but listening involves noticing voice inflection, facial expressions, and body language.
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Monday, Mar. 29: Be relevant (i.e., say things related to the current topic of the conversation) Derived from Grice's Maxim of Relevance (www.Wikipedia.org)
Tuesday, Mar. 30: If another student is being made fun of, don't laugh or join in. While you might be relieved that you aren't the one being made fun of, it is still hurtful to the other student.
Wednesday, Mar. 31: The people serving the food in the cafeteria did not make up the menu, aren't using their own recipes, and probably didn't cook the food - they are just doing their jobs. It is inappropriate to complain about the food to them.
SPRING BREAK! I'll welcome you back on Monday, April 12.
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