In the room
They don't follow directions
Hearing, working memory, language, or relationship — four different problems.
What is actually happening
One-step vs two-step is a developmental fact. Working memory is small. Background noise eats instructions. And some children have learned that directions only come as a prelude to trouble — they stop listening to stay safe.
Do
- Get a glance first. Then one instruction. Then wait
- Have them repeat it back
- Visuals: a card, a point, a first object in their hand
- Check hearing and language if this is global
Don't
- A paragraph of instructions from the other room, then 'you never listen'
What to say
- Eyes on me. Shoes. Then door. What are the two things?
The scaffold
One step, then two, then a picture sequence they can take with them.