| Parents often say that their child with attentional | | | | souroundings. |
| problems has difficulty behaving and joining in with | | | | Outside settings greatly enhance the child's frustration |
| others when in public. | | | | and anxiety. Most adults would acknowledge or |
| A routine trip to the shops, doctor's office or just out | | | | accept that the dynamics of a visit to the community |
| for the day can become an embarrassing disaster. Of | | | | are often a social nightmare. |
| course, the humiliation is compounded by all the other | | | | It is possible to lower a child's social anxiety when in |
| parents who witness your child's much misunderstood | | | | public by trying to make their physical needs easier by |
| behaviour, often looking at you as if to say, "What kind | | | | bringing food, drink and being more aware of of quieter |
| of parents are they'? | | | | locations that are at hand if needed offering |
| Many parents decide to avoid such public scenes by | | | | opportunities to explore more in unfamiliar settings can |
| minimising the child's outside life. Unfortunately, this | | | | often help a great dealminimising the amount of time |
| greatly denies the child the opportunity to gain public | | | | spend in a crowded or confined area. |
| and social skills that he or she will need in order to take | | | | Public areas and outings can be challenging for children |
| part in community life. | | | | with learning problems but they can provide parents |
| When your child is in his home envirement, all their | | | | the opportunities to enhance and increase the child's |
| needs can be met relitivaly stress free. Food and drink | | | | social learning and behaviour |
| is at hand and the setting such as bedrooms, gardens | | | | It is said that a child often needs love most when they |
| etc are all known and understood and offer a | | | | deserve it least. I don't profess to have all the answers |
| sanctuary of familularity as well as comfortable | | | | but hopfully sharing mine help other a bit. |