t.v.- Wiggles bad? | Autism PDD
I would have to agree, after much thought recently about it (just don't get me started on baby Einstein). My son learned a lot from the Wiggles - it was the only show that he really would dance too (he's not really a dancing kind of kid, when he does dance it is weird stepping motions).
We also had the car CD - did I mention I now know every song from that dang CD by heart 
For the rest of my life I will be able to hear the first few chords of "Fruit Salad" and be able to sing the entire song ROTFL or "Wha-Hoo Hey, I'm Coming My Hair Today, Wha-Hoo-Hey, I'm coming my hair my way" The CD is called "Big Red Car", just know it is like crack cocaine for kids LOL They beg for you to put in ALL the time. We've had it for 3 years and they still ask for it even tho we have lots of other choices.It helped C learn body parts-the son "HEad shoulders knees and toes"!
My C learned his body parts this way as well. Our whole family would get up and dance to the wiggles. I thought it was very interactive, fun TV. I have absolutely no regrets, no guilt from letting my kids watch the wiggles whenever they wanted. It was a lot of fun for the whole family.
1. Research Shows that Autistic Children Learn From Videos
Researchers have looked into the power of video modeling for children with autism. They've discovered that videos, which can be viewed over and over again, are actually powerful tools for teaching skills, concepts, and even emotional responses. Some video modeling has been shown to effectively teach life skills like tooth brushing, shoe tying and more!2. Carefully Selected TV Shows Can Help Your Child Connect to His Peers
Children with autism are idiosyncratic enough without being denied the common cultural language of television. Even if your child with autism doesn't fully grasp the humor of Spongebob, his knowledge of the characters and settings will provide him with better tools for connecting with his peers.3. TV and Video Can Provide Parent and Child with a Common Language
As you and your child watch videos or TV together, you can establish a common symbolic language. That language can provide the basis for shared imaginative play. Our son became fascinated with one particular Pooh video, and it has led to really meaningful conversation, role play, drawing, even puppet shows.4. TV and Videos Can Open the World to Your Child
Many children on the autism spectrum are fascinated by animals, trains, or other aspects of the real world. Selected TV and videos, such as Animal Planet and the Eye Witness videos can build on those interests. Next step: a trip to the real zoo to see real crocodiles, a real-life train ride, or just a visit to the pet store.5. TV and Videos can Create a Link Between the Internal and External Worlds
At age three, our son's language consisted largely of memorized scripts. Some of those scripts came from a Canadian TV show called Theodore Tugboat which featured talking boats in a harbor. We had no idea how much he'd learned from the show until we went to a real harbor, where our three-year-old correctly pointed out real research vessels, container ships, tugs and more!6. TV Provides a Much-Needed Respite for Parents
It's easy to feel guilty for plopping your autistic child in front of the TV. The truth is, though, that no one can be physically and emotionally available all day, every day. Even parents of special needs kids need a break. And carefully selected TV or videos, offered in a structured and limited manner, can be a sanity-saver.7. TV and Videos Can Build Parent-Child Relationships
Even if you're not actively engaging with each other in a therapeutic manner, you can cuddle together on the couch. Those quiet, physically intimate moments together may be just as signficant to your child's development as high energy interactive play.8. TV and Videos Can Stimulate Ideas for Therapy
If you are a parent who practices developmental therapies like floortime, RDI or Sonshine, you may simply run out of creative ideas. And very often, children with autism are not much help in that department. TV and Videos can stimulate your imagination with new images, ideas and scenarios.9. Autistic Children Relate Intensely to TV-Related Merchandise and Games
Typical children may tire quickly of Sesame Street toys. Children on the autism spectrum, however, are more likely to find real comfort and pleasure in toys that relate to their favorite videos. And those toys can become a wonderful source for therapeutic play. So can some of the video games related to PBS television program. In fact, the Arthur website includes a game which asks kids to connect facial expressions to story events!10. Auditory and Visual Teaching Is Ideal for Autistic Children
Autistic people often learn best with their eyes and ears, while words may not sink in. Our son plays the clarinet, but it was tough to get him to play anything new. That is, until the Disney show Little Einsteins introduced the Mozart piece Eine Kleine Nacht Musik. Now, he plays like a whiz! The same goes for Pink Panther: we showed him the animation from the beginning of the Pink Panther movie; now he can play the piece with proper rhythm and intonation.my son watched them and I STILL can't look at a fruit salad with out singing
that stupid song.
Donna, I think you will find songs will be great stepping stone to enhancing language. My son loved the wiggles. He also liked the Leap Frog videos and we found them to have more substance than other shows. Talking Letter factory will teach him all the Alphabet and all the sounds the letter make in a very entertaining manor. Other Leap shows nearly teaches them to read. One other thought you might want to vary the show he watches - but he may not like that.
I know watching t.v. is a hot topic but I have a question. My son used to only want to watch Thomas but now is asking to watch other videos and especially the Wiggles. We have times during the day when the t.v. is off and times when we watch it either together or with his siblings. When he watches any videos he is very animated (especially with the Wiggles)- moves, imitates, sings and wants everyone to sing/play along too with him. I don't think this is a bad thing. He has such a problem with language that any language he uses to me is huge. I actually encourage the Wiggles as a choice because he is active with them. What do you think?
Donna
Alex (2.5) ASD, Hannah (7) NT, Becca (4.5) NT
I don't think it is bad. It sounds like it is helping him. I would worry if he was watching it all the time. Everything in moderation is my motto.My ds only watches two things Elmo and Jacks Big Music Show. He beams when they are on and doesn't just sit there staring at them. He loves to move with the music.
ETA Kids need to know about different TV shows for the social aspect. They need to know what the other kids are talking about.
Well were on our second round of Wiggles,Big Red Car is my Little ones favorite,he started to flap his hands when I change hid diaper (My NT son??),It scared the life out of me until he said ,"I do the Flap,I a Wiggle".
They drive me Nuts,But the kids Love them.
Linda
The wiggles have got my son off the floor and dancing! and he tries to sing there songs he even does ballet like dorothy
Kane has all there dvds the new one is good,its all the old nursery rhymes! (Kane was trying to sing twinkle star thismorning!) the one before this one is fantastic its called wiggle and learn it teaches kids colours and shapes and letters, and heaps of other things! Kane still hasnt said any of these yet and his wiggle names have dropped off but he does attempt to say wiggles now!
We dont let him watch them non stop once in the morn and once in the arvo or night time!
we love the wiggles they ROCK!!!
BIG Wiggles fans here. I also like the fact they are guys for my ds. It's fun to watch men entertain little ones.
I'm new but going to chime in here and agree, moderation in all things AND every child is unique. I'm convinced my son started exchanging words with Dora, not me. When I saw him replying to Dora's questions, I was over the moon, LOL! At that point, I started letting him watch interactive shows (Dora, Blue's Clues, etc.) as much as he wanted. His language took off. No regrets.
To this day, neither of my boys sits still and watches TV. They act out the stunts, improvise costumes, make props, etc. (This is all led by my NT firstborn, but my PDD-NOS son follows his lead!) The only time they "veg out" in front of the tv, they are either tired or sick.
On the other hand, I've watched so many NT kids play happily, and as soon as the tv is on, they are drawn zombi-like to it and sit mesmerized and drooling. Okay, I exaggerate, but it's kinda scary to see the effect the tv has on some kids--and adults.
So my rule is: Follow the child's lead. If it's active and engaging for them to watch, let them watch and learn. It can help vary the interests of ASD kids, get them up and moving, teach language and social skills. If it's not, turn it off or use it as a pre-bedtime wind-down.
I just remembered that one of the Wiggles videos we have includes a scene where they ask several children what they're drawing. One of the kids seems to be special-needs.
So, one more reason to watch the Wiggles -- they're inclusive.
My son learned SO much from TV watching when he was little, particularly from Sesame St. He's 16 now, so when he was little there was no closed captioning on most TVs. But as soon as there was, he learned to turn it on. That helped his reading, too (BTW, Sesame St. has the BEST cc for little kids -- short, sweet and easy words, not literal translation). He learned his colors and numbers and alphabet. He learned new words. Of course, TV is not conversation and, in fact, prevents conversation. So when determining how much time your child watches, you have to take that into consideration. I allowed my son to watch more TV than I would have had he been NT. He's so visual, it really helped him.Am slammed for time and didn't read the posts...just popping in with this. Cole's doc told us that live action shows with real people are the very best type movie or show for kids on the spectrum. He said animation in some amounts is okay, but said to specifically avoid any Japanese animation like the plague. Something about how it is done is particularly addicting for kids with some of our issues. maybe something about the visuals and how they are made?
Our kids are too young for that anyway, but there are movies on HBO Family like Howl's Moving Castle that use this type animation.
Gotta run, but I'll look to the left. Look to the right. And look both ways again...blah, blah,...cross the road with a friend. OUT!
Dorothy the dinosaur was NIkolas' first girl friend. LOL! I love the wiggles, their 3rd birthday was a wiggles party, and I really don't see what is bad about them. as an adult the first time I saw them I thought what a job for a bunch of grown men, but it got the kids imitating and participating, I think it was one of the first shows that they had no desire to veg in front of. I think they are great. I agree with Norway mom, everything in moderation and the tv can be a great tool for our kids.Thanks! I'm not going to feel bad about that anymore.
I've found that the Wiggles are good for me too. Have you ever done all the physical movements of one of their "on stage" videos? They have to be pretty physically fit to do all that and sing!
Donna
Alex (2.5) ASD, Hannah 7 (NT), Becca (4.5) NT
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