Posted by Lynne Kenney, PsyD on March 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
“How do I teach the flashlight technique” for re-directing attention in a “super easy way”.
As always, we begin with collaboration.
Talk with the child 1:1 in a kind and collaborative manner and tell him that you have been noticing he has difficulty keeping his attention focused on the work in class, ask him if he has noticed as well. Then have the “cognitive conversation” bringing to light an idea that might help.
Tell him that you once had a student named Max who taught you about imaginary flashlights. Max said that when his mind was drifting in class and he would catch himself, he would switch on an imaginary flashlight and point it where he needed to be focusing.
Ask the child if he thinks this might be helpful and talk with him about how you can help with questions and cueing prompts in class. Agree to the prompts, so that he feels helped and supported not humiliated in class. That’s it, super simple. A kind conversation, a social narrative story, and a plan, the two of you develop together, to help him learn how to alert, focus and sustain his attention.
Have The Cognitive Conversation
Teaching a child to use his flashlight is done in three steps:
1. Teaching the child to notice he is off-task.
Q: Where is your flashlight pointing?
2. Helping him alert his brain to salient information.
Q: Where does your flashlight need to point?
3. Pushing the re-engage button.
Prompt: You can use your flashlight to select what you need to focus on right now.
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