Q & A with a Super Hero:
Brain Works
Where’s your brain?
[Points to head.]
Is your brain big or small?
Big.
Is it heavy or light?
Light.
Does your brain work fast or slow?
VERY fast.
How do you know it goes fast?
Because I’m a super hero and I run super fast.
Does your brain ever go slowly?
When I cry. I cry when I’m upset and kids that don’t talk.
Does your brain ever hurt?
Yes when I’m frustrated.
What do we do to make our brain feel better?
I bang my head.
Is that a good choice?
Probably not, it’s like a kid at my school.
Does banging your head hurt your brain?
Banging your head hurts my brain and makes my super powers want to break.
Can you explain how your brain has super powers?
My brain goes super fast.
Is it good that your brain goes super fast?
Not too good.
Why?
Because it’s hard to listen sometimes.
You have very good hearing, how can it be hard to listen?
It’s hard sometimes and makes me want to bite on my finger.
Why do you bite on your finger?
I bite my finger when I get too distracted and overwhelmed and kids that are sad and don’t talk.
Why do quiet kids make you so upset?
Well. Because they don’t want to play with me and I get super upset.
Does biting on your finger, slow down your brain or just make you think about something else?
Makes me think about something else. Finding other friends to play.
Does chewing on a chewy toy help you?
Yes.
How?
Chewing makes me happier, happier and happier.
Does it ever make your mouth tired?
A lot tired, but that’s good.
Does it make your body tired or calm?
Calm?
What else helps your brain slow down?
Weighted blanket.
Does a dark place help?
Yes.
Does loud music help?
No.
Do you need to be alone?
Yes, if I’m disappointed.
What if someone stays near you when you’re upset?
It makes my brain want to say bad language.
Are there any other ways to slow down your brain and stay calm?
Exercise scootering… biking… pushing my baby buggy on a walk…
What things at school can help slow down your brain and stay calm?
Weighted blanket. Brushing (therapeutic). Chew toys make me happier. If I don’t have one, I can get mad.
What’s the best setting for you to learn?
A desk away from friends, quiet in the side room, super low lights, just with one teacher and me, like Ms. K. or Mr. L.
Why is it so hard to sit with the entire class to learn?
Because I’m too distracted.
What distracts you?
When kids are too close to me or making noise.
Do any smells distract you?
Yes. Spit. Pee. When girls smell pretty – I like to smell that.
What things that you hear might distract you?
People crying, girls crying, boys crying, kids in the hall, slamming doors, humming lights, people eating, yelling voices.
Anything else you want to say about how your brain works?
I don’t like how my brain works.
How do you want it to work instead?
Happy.
Are you a sad kid or a happy kid?
Mostly happy… but I just want lots of friends that talk to me a lot.
Brain Works
Where’s your brain?
[Points to head.]
Is your brain big or small?
Big.
Is it heavy or light?
Light.
Does your brain work fast or slow?
VERY fast.
How do you know it goes fast?
Because I’m a super hero and I run super fast.
Does your brain ever go slowly?
When I cry. I cry when I’m upset and kids that don’t talk.
Does your brain ever hurt?
Yes when I’m frustrated.
What do we do to make our brain feel better?
I bang my head.
Is that a good choice?
Probably not, it’s like a kid at my school.
Does banging your head hurt your brain?
Banging your head hurts my brain and makes my super powers want to break.
Can you explain how your brain has super powers?
My brain goes super fast.
Is it good that your brain goes super fast?
Not too good.
Why?
Because it’s hard to listen sometimes.
You have very good hearing, how can it be hard to listen?
It’s hard sometimes and makes me want to bite on my finger.
Why do you bite on your finger?
I bite my finger when I get too distracted and overwhelmed and kids that are sad and don’t talk.
Why do quiet kids make you so upset?
Well. Because they don’t want to play with me and I get super upset.
Does biting on your finger, slow down your brain or just make you think about something else?
Makes me think about something else. Finding other friends to play.
Does chewing on a chewy toy help you?
Yes.
How?
Chewing makes me happier, happier and happier.
Does it ever make your mouth tired?
A lot tired, but that’s good.
Does it make your body tired or calm?
Calm?
What else helps your brain slow down?
Weighted blanket.
Does a dark place help?
Yes.
Does loud music help?
No.
Do you need to be alone?
Yes, if I’m disappointed.
What if someone stays near you when you’re upset?
It makes my brain want to say bad language.
Are there any other ways to slow down your brain and stay calm?
Exercise scootering… biking… pushing my baby buggy on a walk…
What things at school can help slow down your brain and stay calm?
Weighted blanket. Brushing (therapeutic). Chew toys make me happier. If I don’t have one, I can get mad.
What’s the best setting for you to learn?
A desk away from friends, quiet in the side room, super low lights, just with one teacher and me, like Ms. K. or Mr. L.
Why is it so hard to sit with the entire class to learn?
Because I’m too distracted.
What distracts you?
When kids are too close to me or making noise.
Do any smells distract you?
Yes. Spit. Pee. When girls smell pretty – I like to smell that.
What things that you hear might distract you?
People crying, girls crying, boys crying, kids in the hall, slamming doors, humming lights, people eating, yelling voices.
Anything else you want to say about how your brain works?
I don’t like how my brain works.
How do you want it to work instead?
Happy.
Are you a sad kid or a happy kid?
Mostly happy… but I just want lots of friends that talk to me a lot.