Danae defined slow.
She ate slow.
She dressed slow.
She moved slow.
She talked slow.
When she had an audience.
If she was alone she could eat, dress, move and talk fast.
Her parents looked at her daily pattern, and realised Danae was spending all her time with other people. She loved social interactions and soaked up attention. She was seeing herself as the centre of the family.
So a few independent play times were established into the day. These included a room play, a DVD time, a table activity and a short outside solo play. This still left many hours for interaction with her siblings and parents.
The attention seeking 'go-slow' behaviour melted away.
Declan was the day dreamer in the family. He had every intention of getting ready for school on time, yet something always grabbed his attention and halted his progress.
Mum had been a dreamer-child too, so she had great compassion for her creative son. She popped up some pictures of his tasks on the fridge and played some one of his favourite music CD's. Declan had to race the music to move his task cards from one end of the fridge door to the other. They kept a record of his times on the fridge too and rejoiced with him when he scored a new best.
Declan still has a relaxed afternoon time for play and dreaming, but he also enjoys the calm of being ready for school on time now too.
Denise was quietly stubborn. She would give a polite "sure, mum!" to a request to pack up her toys, but it would be done in a maddening slow manner. Or half picked up with some toys deliberately placed in the wrong tubs.
Her parents wisely saw this 'go-slow' tactic as deliberate disobedience. Denise knew how to pack up properly and quickly but she was expressing her disapproval over having to do this task. After breakfast the next day, mum explained what the consequence would be if the toys were not packed up before the timer sounded. Mum asked Denise to verbally give her the reason why it was important to obey and why it was important to be tidy.
It took a few weeks, (remember she was stubborn!), and a number of consistent but calm consequences being given, but Denise is now characterised by a timely pack up. Her parents, and Denise, are much happier.
