Why Do I Have to Repeat Every Instruction Five Times?

“Why do I have to repeat every instruction five times?” If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. A child who struggles to follow directions is not necessarily being stubborn or inattentive. Understanding spoken instructions involves listening, language comprehension, attention, working memory, and processing time. At Total Communication, we look beyond the behaviour to understand what may be making instructions difficult. Simple strategies, such as giving one direction at a time, using clear language, allowing extra processing time, and adding visual cues, can make everyday communication easier and help children become more confident and independent learners.