Ideas to develop good eye contact

[Guest]

I am looking for ideas to develop a child's eye contact. The child is 50m and has communication and language difficulties (he has glue ear). I am awaiting support from the school SENCo and would like to help this child in the interim.

I am planning to make a chart of children's eye colour but would like other ideas - any suggestions would be gratefully received!

x

[AnonyMouse_15046]

Have you been advised by a professional that this is something that you need to help him develop?

Some children find it challenging and may have to make a choice between being making eye contact and listening to what is being said.

[Guest]

Mmm ... thank you for that, Upsy Daisy - no, I hadn't thought about that!

[AnonyMouse_30128]

try putting the item you are talking about next to your mouth ...with glue ear it is important that he sees how your mouth moves. Are both ears bad? make sure you are on his good side if there is one. Try to reduce echo too ...outside will be more beneficial for him. As upsy daisy says eye contact can be challenging ...you might try to aim for fleeting contact rather than sustained...it has been proven that most children cannot think and make eye contact at the same time!

what medical intervention is being done?...grommets?

[Guest]

what medical intervention is being done?...grommets?

The child has been assessed - but no decision has been made - he is awaiting a further appointment

Thank you, Finleysmaid.

[AnonyMouse_19920]

i would agree with upsy daisy - children find it very hard to give eye contact and listen to you - i usually try to hold their hands gently as i talk to them - this way i hope they listen to what i am saying.

i would also agree with putting the object near your face/mouth whilst talking about what you wan them to do etc., - they may find it easier to look at the object rather than at you - less pressure on them. x

[AnonyMouse_30128]

The child has been assessed - but no decision has been made - he is awaiting a further appointment

Thank you, Finleysmaid.

my youngest had glue ear and a wax issue as well which meant she was partially deaf at pre-school.....bit of an expert in this area! the day after she had her ears syringed she told me to stop shouting...i told her this was the way i had always talked!

[AnonyMouse_15046]

I've just realised, on re-reading my post, that I asked if you'd been advised by a professional, the implication being that you were not one yourself. I'm so sorry!

I should have said a specialist in that area, e.g. a SALT.

Thank you for not taking me to task :1b