MicheleB Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Common things, like, when I am on the phone for example. I have a phone up to my ear and I'm either listening or talking. But he will come up to me and start talking like he doesn't even realize I'm on the phone. I'll even point to the phone and go "Shhh" and he will often keep talking. The expression of his face and body seem to be that he just doesn't realize that I'm on the phone. Or talking to other people in public. He doesn't seem to realize that I'm in a conversation and talking with someone and will come up and talk to me. He has a severe visual processing disorder and speech and language delays (speech and lang. delays are about a year delayed, so not severe). I am wondering if anyone has experienced this. Why is he not realizing these types of things? (He's not being rude, IOW...) What have you done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I had to talk through with Hobbes (no LD, but dippy) that when I was on the phone I was already in a conversation - he didn't seem to have an idea of what 'being on the phone' meant, despite using the phone regularly himself. It took a lot of repetition before he finally got it. He saw me on the phone and really didn't grasp that a conversation was going on. Best wishes Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessAriel Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 It reminds me of my ds who has nonverbal learning disorder (NLD) and just doesn't get the nonverbal communication at times. He is getting better but I remember when he would be fooling around in church or some other place and I would give him the "LOOK" and he would just wave back and continue on with his misbehavior. He has to have things directly pointed out to him before he is aware of how it affects others. He also has visual processing delays and sometimes he just doesn't see things that others notice. (finding things in a room, drawer, etc.) I think it takes lots of reminders and practice to overcome some of these situations like being on the phone, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I think most children do this wether or not they have a special need. My son who has AS does this to both me and his dad. I have 5 nieces and nephews, they all do the exact same thing and they are as nt as anyone. I just think it's one of those things all kids do until they learn that it is not polite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 My daughter who is diagnosed with Asperger's and nonverbal learning disorder does this. It doesn't matter what I do, she just doesn't get it. She will continue to talk and talk and talk even if I'm talking to the other person. It doesn't matter how many times I tell her. She just can't help herself and like you said, doesn't seem to notice. I wish I knew of a solution! I usually have to hide if I have to talk on the phone or I send her outside to play. It can be pretty embarrassing when I'm talking with someone in person as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I don't think that this has anything to do with an LD!:lol: All of mine do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleB Posted April 25, 2009 Author Share Posted April 25, 2009 I guess I see it as "different" because, while my other children may do it, they also understand when I indicate I am on the phone and stop. With my 9yo, it seems that he does *not* really understand I am on the phone, or in a conversation with someone else. It is not impoliteness... it's more like cluelessness. He has some other tendencies to not notice "Details" so I guess it could all tie together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzannah Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 When you are on the phone it isn't always convenient to stop and explain to DS (again) that you're on the phone and for him to please wait a few minutes until you are finished and then you will be happy to help him with whatever he needs. But since the universal hand signal of pointing at the phone and mouthing the word doesn't work, maybe you could work out your own hand signal or short response to indicate the above. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 My kids do this all the time. My 9y/o with ADHD is the world's worst for this type of behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyndie Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 My two older children used to do this ALL the time - so frustrating!! I had to finally make a consequence of them having to sit in their room until I was off the phone if they kept interrupting me. It took some time (and some very patient friends on the other end of the line!) but if I gave the "sign" that I"m on the phone and they insist on continuing to talk, I escorted them to their rooms and told them I would come get them when I'm done. Now when they come around the corner and see me on the phone, they go "oh ok" and run off or yell "SORRY MOM, DIDN'T SEE THE PHONE!!!" (lol). On rare occassions my older daughter still misses the signals but a quick trip to sit in her room reminds her. I understand what you're saying about him not doing it on purpose to be rude. My children were the same way - they just didn't seem to register that there was a phone on my ear and I was talking. But the consequence still worked - it made them look and notice and decide if what they had to say was worth being sent to their rooms or if it could just wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleB Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Just wanted to come back and say, as I was thinking about this post I realize he's not noticing a lot of things. Like, if he's looking for his baseball glove, it could be right in front of him and he's not seeing it. Or if I ask him to pick up something right by him, he turns circles around and around, but doesn't see the article until I almost stand on top of him and point it out to him. I don't believe the phone issue is a discipline problem. I believe it's part of a bigger picture and realizing these other things I've just mentioned puts it together for me some more. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 It sounds like he is just very unaware of the world around him. Disconnecting and living in his own world can be part of the autistic spectrum, but it certainly doesn't have to be. Those are all things that my AS child would do at that age, but that doesn't mean that your child is AS. If you feel concerned, I would do some reading and see if it seems like he fits. If so, is there anything to be gained from a diagnosis? Would he be helped, it is a problem that is holding him back in any way (other than being frustrating)? Check into your state's laws on homeschooling a child with a diagnosed disability. I always recommend this before people test. Some states are a pain and you might not want the label because of it. Then, if all the stars have aligned and you decide the information could help you, get some testing done. I am big on testing. I like to know what I am dealing with. The more I know, the more I can understand, the better I can help. My ds has made tremendous progress and has gone from quite autistic with little language, to a normal slightly quirky kid who will go to college and lead a productive life. Understanding what he was dealing with at every step helped me to respond and help him be his best, yet not drive him to constant frustration with impossible requests. That is me. Other people would prefer to never label and work with their child as they see fit at the time. You have to decide who you are in this :001_smile: I wish you and your son all the best. Please always feel free to ask if I can help in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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