Three Little Words

As the end of the school year draws to a close, I find that my school age clients get a little bit impatient, frustrated and less cooperative. I think it's a combination of fatigue, burn out, and anticipation of the holidays and Christmas.

One particular client, a boy with Cerebral Palsy, flatly refused to cooperate one day. Knowing that he was likely to be a little difficult, I had prepared activities that I thought would be fun. I only had a few things with me as I was seeing this boy in his home. When he showed no interest in any of the tasks I had on offer, I knew I had to try harder, as there was no alternative. In my therapy room I have a huge range of resources, but on home and school visits I am limited.

"I don't want you in my house", said the boy. "I'm the boss here" he added.

I told him that he wasn't and that we were there to work, that his father would be disappointed if we did nothing, and that it was to help him to use his arm better. "You need to practice using both your left and right hands to play the Wii!" His favourite thing to do.

"I don't want to", he said when I offered him different games. He had not even looked at them.

Complete resistence.

I needed him to understand that I wasn't going anywhere.

"I like you", I said. "I want to be here, and I would really like you to play this game with me".

Well those first three little words made the biggest different. The boy looked at the game I had in front of us, looked up in to my eyes and said "OK". For the rest of the session he was involved, he participated, and he worked hard. I was so proud of him and so thrilled that our therapy session was productive.

I think there are so many messages here in this story. It's important to show consideration and care for other people. It's nice to be told nice things, and it's nice to be nice. I meant what I said, and I think that's important to.