Personal Space Issues
This is often an issue for kids (and adults) who have social learning issues, low muscle tone, and a poor sense of body awareness.
These people get too close to you physically and they don’t realize that it’s a problem. Because for them, it isn’t a problem. They don’t have the same requirement for personal space that you and I have.
For my son, all the reasons listed above contribute to his, and therefore my, lack of personal space. He craves being touched, so the closer he can get to you the better. His low muscle tone means he doesn’t just sit next to you, he melts into you. And because he has a hard time understanding social issues he doesn’t see that this is a problem.
So what do you do?
Our kids need lots of repetition. Over and over and over again, we model what is appropriate, we tell them, correct them, and then we start all over again.
I was recently talking to someone. She shared how when she was a young girl, she was helping out at an event and a mentally challenged adult man groped her. She was told that he couldn’t help it because of his disability and she needed to just ignore him and carry on. There was no reprimand for the man. No one said anything to him and the behavior was allowed to continue.
Our children and loved ones have disabilities. But it doesn't mean that they can't learn. It doesn't mean that they shouldn't be held to basic societal standards. Click To TweetSo I will be over here, repeating myself for the millionth time. Expressing to my child the need that others have to a comfortable space around them and ownership of their bodies.
And if you could mention it to him too, that would be great! Kids always pay better attention when it comes from more than one adult. All we can do is keep reminding them and teaching them.
My nephew is developmentally disabled and has learned acceptable actions for social situations even though he sometimes gets bored.
That’s awesome! It can be a difficult one to get them to remember as they don’t have the same requirements for space that other people do.
Definitely repetition! When I worked with kids who had special needs, the new workers would always feel odd about asking for space, but it is important to use gentle reminders – they really work! #GlobalBlogging
Thanks for stopping in! Sometimes I just get a little tired of giving the reminders for the 100th time that day. Maybe one day it will sink in. . .
I am a strong believer in teaching my boys the importance in respecting someone’s space. Brilliant written and something really important to spread awareness X #mixitup
Thank you. It’s important to me too because other people deserve their space.
Thanks for sharing such an important message with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Thank you for reading.
Calleen, I think people don’t realize that they can kindly, politely and lovingly say something in these situations.
I would agree that that is often the case.