PERSONAL NARRATIVE
HOW TO BETTER CONNECT
When Your ASD Child
Thinks Literally
By Kim NGUYEN
When I was in fourth grade, we were given a writing assignment which required us to
write step-by-step instructions on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
The entire class of nine and ten year old kids fell silent, and the vigorous sound of
pencils scratching across paper filled the air.
A
s fourth graders, each of us believed ourselves to be pros when it came to mastering the fine art of creating the perfect PB&J,
and we were all anxious to put our knowledge down on paper. When everyone finished writing, the class gathered around
a table and our teacher brought over all
38 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 44
of the supplies needed to make this classically delicious lunch essential. After waiting a moment for the
excited murmur of hungry children to settle, she explained to us that she would read each of our papers
aloud while each writer had to make a sandwich following his or her own written instructions. The first
of my excited classmates approached the table and