Domino is a game that requires the players to line up domino pieces in long rows and then knock them down. It’s a great game for building fine motor skills, and it’s also an excellent way to learn about numbers, colors and shapes. Children with autism can use the dominoes to practice their sensory processing by touching and smelling each one as they go down the row, or they can use them as toys that are interesting to them and will spark their imagination.
Aside from playing games, dominoes can be used to make art or create shapes. They can be arranged to form patterns, grids that are then filled with pictures, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. There are many variations of domino that can be played, but the basic rules are always the same. Each domino has a number of dots, or “pips,” on each face and the number of pips is determined by its type: doubles have two identical sides, triples have three, and so on.
The word domino comes from a Latin verb that means to carry or lead. The first use of the word in English was around 1750, and it was originally a reference to a long hooded cloak that was worn together with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. Later, the meaning was changed to the piece of cardboard that was placed on top of a priest’s surplice during a service, bringing back the sense of leading or carrying.
In 2009, Domino’s started a remarkable campaign that showed the company was not above admitting mistakes and seeking to improve its image. In a widely shared video, Domino’s leaders and employees read scathing critiques of their pizza, showing that they were willing to take feedback on board and correct their mistakes. This was an unprecedented example of a business embracing a culture of self-awareness and straightforward accountability.
Despite this, not all businesses are prepared to acknowledge mistakes or take responsibility for their actions. Some companies choose to ignore critics, while others hide behind bureaucracy and incompetence. However, Domino’s chose to be different, and this bold move has served them well.
The same is true for learning disabilities: Students can be overwhelmed by the amount of information they are expected to process, and they may compensate in ways that hinder their ability to learn new skills. This compensation can have an impact similar to a falling domino, because over time the student loses the ability to develop that skill on their own. If the compensation continues, the domino effect can grow and eventually impact other areas of the student’s life. It is important to find strategies that help the student overcome these challenges before they cause lasting damage.