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lubbing5cherubs
11th August 2007, 09:55 PM
Hi
I have been caring for a boy. He is 6 year old but already wearing size 10 pants so he is a fair size kid and very smart to go with it. Now i helped him make a pen for himself last week but now he wants to make something on his own. What would be a very easy and quick for an autistic boy to do with very limited concentrations span. ANy suggestion?? he just loves the lathe, and the wood. He is coming along in leaps and bounds with me doing the lathe with him. Does anyone have some ideas for him? (also remember that I can master a pen but as for other things on a lathe I am still a novice like Connor)
Thanks Toni

robyn2839
11th August 2007, 09:59 PM
i would reckon a shallow bowl would be the go ,out of something easy to turn like camphor laurel for instance, make one yourself first, to get the idea . bob

BernieP
11th August 2007, 11:01 PM
G'Day Toni

Would think it would be easiest for something between centres, so no hollowing (catches), perhaps a simple baton, or a mallet made in two pieces that you drill a hole in head (piece #1) and glue handle (piece #2) into.

Great to see your careingness (another new word !)

Cheers
Bernie

TTIT
11th August 2007, 11:30 PM
How about an egg or two Toni? Maybe show him the steps (http://web.aanet.net.au/ttit/eggpage/egg%20main.htm) on my website and see if he's interested. I had an IT trainee a while back with autism and he coped better if he could see the steps involved in a process.

lubbing5cherubs
11th August 2007, 11:30 PM
Thanks Bernie that was what I was considering too.

Yep with kids I got all the heart and patience for but some adults well that a different ball game. Not the same gentleness. LOL. Especially when they are big notes.. LOL
Toni

lubbing5cherubs
11th August 2007, 11:32 PM
ok thanks for that Vern, I will show him.
Toni

rodent
12th August 2007, 05:44 AM
A twig pot toni about as simple as you can get .

Sebastiaan56
12th August 2007, 07:17 AM
Hi Tony,

What about a small baseball bat, or even a rolling pin,

Sebastiaan

weisyboy
12th August 2007, 09:04 AM
:iagree:

the kids always love a small baseball bat. and it is so simple.:2tsup:

http://www.wellswoodturning.com/products-mini-baseball-bats.asp

wheelinround
12th August 2007, 10:21 AM
could you make even handles such as file or chisel

Great to see such dedication:2tsup::2tsup:

reeves
12th August 2007, 11:12 AM
yes good suggestions, i have had success with kids learning doing small clubs/bats, drumsticks are good, small bowls, cups/mugs and candleholders etc

good to see yr doing woodstuff with him, hope it keeps rollings

cheeeers
john

ss_11000
12th August 2007, 09:21 PM
a toilet roll holder

that way you incorperate faceplat turning with the base and spindle turning with the collum. it allows for creativity with the design also.

this was the first bit of turning i ever did so that is why i suggested it:2tsup:

cheers

ps. good onya Toni for helping the kid out::2tsup:

derekcohen
13th August 2007, 12:54 AM
Toni

I would be very cautious with a 6 year old autistic lad around machinery. Of course, there are many degrees of impairment, but most 6 year old kids would be too young to be trusted on a lathe, and an autistic child would be far more at risk than they since they have little awareness of consequences of actions (danger, etc).

When you say that an autistic boy is interested in the lathe, my first thought is that he enjoys watching it spin - not in making something.

Be careful. Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss these matters. I specialise in working with paediatric disorders.

Regards from Perth

Derek

lubbing5cherubs
13th August 2007, 01:49 AM
Thanks Derek, No his words was me turn a pen too. And he got the face mask ready like my kids have to wear. So he was genuinely interest, it is the first thing I have ever seen him take an interest and all his work. I hold the tool with him because I know when the interest is gone he walks away. This is the first thing he has shown an interest in besides trains and army men. His mum is amazed. This kid does nothing unattended and I only let connor have a go when he asks. He wears full face mask, And will not be left to his own defences ever. I don't even let my own children. Although solo but I am always there. Connor is a smart little boy and what he loves he can tell you alll the moving parts on my lathe from, tail stock to headstock to motor to bed. He rattles it all off to his mum all night. And since we have found something like this even his mum says that his speech is coming along in leaps and bound. She is a nurse and is thrilled with his progress. So it can't be bad for him. He will always have my help as long as he needs it.
Thanks for the heads up. I will keep an eye out on him though. Connor is precious

wheelinround
13th August 2007, 10:24 AM
:brava:brava:brava:brava:2tsup::2tsup:

The Hearts & Minds of any Child should ever be discouraged

With this his whole life could change for ever lets hope its for the good.
I know how Autsitcs can turn if they are not happy or something isn't right.

How is he with hand tools might pay to show him some prep work etc also, encouraging him to learn even further.

zenwood
13th August 2007, 01:07 PM
Nice that he's making progress. My initial thoughts were similar to derek's, but it sounds like Connor is quite high functioning on the spectrum.

Still, I'd be very very careful and supervise him very very closely. Any 6 year old near sharp tools and moving machinery is a scary thought.

Maybe he'd enjoy the polishing process too; might be less dangerous than using cutting tools.

BANNED
13th August 2007, 02:45 PM
Hi lubbing5cherubs,

I honestly have to say, I don't have any first experience with autistic people, therefore I will let those with experience in that area, to advise accordingly. With this said, and taking the subject to another level, I reckon that kid just got the "turning bug", pretty bad, huh? Interesting how this bug don't discriminate and how affects people to be bone, irregardless...!

I can only hope that, Connor grows with this interest, and develop that interest a lot further. With people like yourself, looking after him, I reckon is got a bloody good chance.

Cheers
GV

ticklingmedusa
13th August 2007, 03:48 PM
After reading this one and thinking about it...
a simple spindle piece. A 10 year old I know is into Harry Potter bigtime.
Maybe a magic wand would be the ticket.
tm

joe greiner
13th August 2007, 10:42 PM
Hi, Toni.

Your generosity and his progress are most uplifting. I don't know much about autism, except for the movie "Rainman" and the interview with the real Raymond on our "60 minutes" (CBS - not sure if it's the same as the Oz show with the same name).

My only addition to the suggestions so far, is to pace his instruction according to his progress; move on to bowls, finishing etc. when it seems best, not all at once.

Best wishes.

Joe