Today we improvised with two 2nd graders, one with autistic traits and another with relationship and self-esteem issues. The slogan was that they had to grab a puppet (whatever they wanted) and think about what made that puppet sad.
We had done a similar exercise before but with the students themselves. The result was that the student with autistic traits did not make him sad at all.
The student with ASD grabbed a ball that was missing an eye, and the other student grabbed an elephant.
Here's what they talked about:
"They find a ball without an eye and an elephant without legs.
BALL: Why are you sad?
ELEPHANT: Because I have no legs.
BALL: I can help you
ELEPHANT: How?
PILOT: I'll make you legs.
The Elephant gets on the ball and they jump.
ELEPHANT: Why are you sad?
BALL: I'm not sad.
ELEPHANT: But you're missing an eye.
BALL: I'm used to having only one eye and that's why I'm not sad.
ELEPHANT: But I will help you with my eyes to see better. ”
The student with ASD does not see that the ball may be sad for not having an eye. For her it is natural because she is used to it. Let's think.
