Imaan Goals, by Sarah Dargue, August 2010

Inspire Imaan to look at you for longer

• Celebrate Imaan in a variety of ways
• Experiment positioning at different distances in the room and using the mirror
• If Imaan is motivated and connected but not looking ask him to look at you
• If Imaan is saying a clear single word then encourage him to say a 2-3 word sentences (e.g. “give me”, “tickle me”)
• Celebrate Imaan sincerely
• User friendly and responsive to what he is saying
• Clearly model a sentence
• When Imaan is connected and motivated ask him to say the full sentence
• Experiment with using rhythm in the sentence

Motivate Imaan to lengthen his interactive attention span

• Celebrate Imaan for watching / participating in the game
• Use anticipation and 3Es in your game
• Just do it – introduce a game
• While Imaan is motivated in the game, stick to the same game (adding variations)

Helping Imaan to use communication over whining

• Be comfortable with whining and tantruming
• Be slow and boring
• Be fast and exciting when he speaks, looks, plays etc

Imaan's motivations:

• Bubbles

• Jumping

• Blanket

• Tickles

• Play-dough

• Bob the builder

• Postman Pat

• Songs: “Incy wincy spider”, “ring2 roses”, “twinkle2 little star”, “Wheel in the bus”

• Buttons/ Switches

• Throwing

• Squeezes

• Taking things apart

• Family

• Transports