My son has announced a kind of strike against speech therapy. I think it's brilliant. He has decided he no longer likes speech therapy, so, ten minutes in, he will begin throwing objects and shouting.
I know that Louis CK is now He Who Shall Not Be Named--but I can't help but think of the first season of "Louie," when an issue arises at the local public school. A concerned teacher says, "The children are listless and sleepy after lunch...." And various parents begin to volunteer some theories: "The food isn't nutritional!" "The gym session is inadequate!" "There isn't enough fluoride in the water!"
And the title character raises his hand and says: "I think the kids are sleepy because....school sucks? Remember? Right? School sucks."
The speech therapist has many ideas. Josh's sister should be part of the session. Josh's sister should *not* be part of the session. No, she *can* be part of the session, but she should be coloring in books, quietly, in a corner of the room. Swatting and destructive behavior are purely about a need for attention. Destructive behavior is *not* purely about attention; it's about attention *and* a desire for "sensory input." Destructive behavior should be blithely ignored. Destructive behavior should result in swift, firm, disciplinary action. Also, disciplinary action is useless, because it's not comprehended; the best option is to praise, praise, praise. Lay it on thick. Praise and cuddle. Praise and cuddle. Praise and cuddle.
I told the kids, yesterday, that, at some point, they will get to write their own schedule. They will ultimately determine their own agenda. Childhood can suck--but, eventually, it passes.
This is the best I can offer, for now.
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