Is it difficult for
your fragile X child to remember the “rules”?
There may be a simple solution. Put the “rules”
in writing. When your child protests, tell them,
“Sorry, it’s a rule”, and show
them the rule. I have created a list of the most
important rules. Some of the rules address good
manners, others address negative behaviors. Using
the written rule as an arbiter of “good
behavior” removes the test of wills between
the child and parent that often accompanies enforcement
of rules. For example, if my son doesn't want
to buckle up in the van, I tell him he has to,
it's the law and rule #25, and then I show him
the rule. While each rule is written on a 2 x
3 card, I have also devised a “key chain”
list of rules. My key chain only has words on
it. If you like you could put your “rules”
on a larger card and include pictures. I've included
our list of rules below.
Rule #1:
Always tell mom, dad, and family
how much you love them
Rule #2:
When you wake up, always go to the bathroom
and go potty. .
Rule #3:
We always keep our clothes on, except when
we are sleeping or taking a bath.
Rule #4:
When someone gives you something or does
something nice say, “Thank You”.
Rule #5:
When someone tells you thank you say “You’re
Welcome”.
Rule #6:
When someone sneezes say “Bless You”.
Rule #7:
When you need help, ask.
Rule #8:
Don’t hit, hitting hurts.
Rule #9:
Inside voices are always used inside.
Rule #10:
Always keep your hands to yourself; some
people don’t like to be touched.
Rule #11:
Our hands can only go in our pockets, don’t
put them inside your pants or underwear.
Rule #12:
Don’t throw things (unless it is
a ball outside).
Rule #13:
When you need to ask for something, use
the word “Please”.
Rule #14:
It’s good to share and take turns
Rule #15:
It’s good to help others.
Rule #16:
If someone is doing something you don’t
like, ask them to STOP.
Rule #17:
It’s okay to take a break.
Rule #18:
Before you go to bed, go potty, wash your
hands and brush your teeth.
Rule #19:
If you need a hug, ask.
Rule #20:
Don’t bite, biting is only for eating
food. It’s not nice to bite people and
it’s bad for our teeth.
Rule #21:
Don’t kick anything but a ball.
Rule #22:
The only right place to go potty is in
the bathroom.
Rule #23:
Smile often, it makes you and others feel
good.
Rule #24:
It’s okay to cry if you are upset,
but don’t forget to use words to tell
others what is bothering you.
Rule #25:
Always wear your seatbelt when traveling
in a car, truck, bus or van.
Rule #26:
Turn off your TV when you are not in your
room.
Rule #27:
Always go to the bathroom before leaving
for anywhere.
Rule #28:
Ask for snacks or juice.
Rule #29:
No running in the house.
Rule #30:
Try your best to follow all the rules.
When we leave to go
anywhere I no longer have to tell my children
to use the bathroom, I just say time for Rule
#27 and they’re all scampering off to the
bathroom. Now, if I can only get my husband to
follow Rule #12, I’d be in heaven. One day
he broke the rule throwing an exercise ball in
the house, knocking over a glass of water.
www.hollinbooks.com
Please visit this website and view "The
Handcolored Antique Book collection of Harris
N. Hollin". The CFXF Founder and President
has compiled a simply amazing collection of hand
colored antique books and, with pleasure, shares
them on his website. Only 5% of approximately
13,000 handcolored plates are viewable now, with
more added all the time. Get there by linking
from www.cfxf.org!
PARENTS' CORNER
PARENTS’ CORNER Our Parent’s Corner
author, Sally Nantais lives in Wyandotte, Michigan,
a city about ten miles south of Detroit. She has
four children Jon, 24 who graduated from Michigan
Tech University in 2003, Austin, 12, who has fragile
X, Natalie, almost 10 and Genevieve, 5. Sally
left her job in August 2001 so she could better
care for and advocate for her son, Austin. She
writes a monthly column for her local newspaper,
sometimes using it as a means to educate readers
about fragile X. Sally is active with the Fragile
X Association of Michigan. In this article, she
tells us of her innovative way of teaching the
rules.
UNITED
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