Blog Assignment: Observing Communication

This week I observed at church a child trying to communicate with her mother.  The child noticed something different about another child and was trying to ask the mother questions about why that child talked differently.  The mother totally ignored the child in an effort to go where she was trying to go, which was Sunday School.  The child continued to follow and ask questions and I stood there wanting to answer the child.  The mother soon told the child they would talk later and dropped the child off at her class.  I looked at the child and smile, all the while wanting to explain that the child had autism and what that meant but because I was not close to the parent or child, I stood there speechless.  I was interested in the fact that the child noticed a difference, especially since the child seemed to be around 4 or 5 years old.  I was also very happy to see the child not calling names or saying anything negative about the other child but merely wanted to know the difference.  I was saddened to see the parent not take the initiative to stop and listen to what the child was saying.  I understand trying to get to a class but I do believe this ranked a little higher in importance than trying to be on time to class.

Since starting this class, I have noticed differences even in the way I communicate.  I also have realized how harmful words can be and how important it is to stop and listen and not jump to conclusions. 

I am happy that I am able to spend more time listening than talking.  There have been things that I am sure I have missed in conversations because I was merely trying to get my point across.