Imagine two students. One is constantly shifting in his seat, looking around the classroom, and spinning his pencil. Another is sitting very still with his hands folded, watching you attentively. Which one is paying closer attention to your words and comprehending more of the lesson?

As a teacher of ADHD (多动症) students, I've learned that all is not as it seems. Some students are better able to control their emotions and minds when their bodies are free to move. This includes students who are autistic (自闭症). Additionally, autistic students often find eye contact uncomfortable and listen best while looking away.

If such students must squeeze their behavior into what many teachers call whole body listening—a motionless body and controlled stare—it could actually disturb their concentration. Perhaps a student who seems distracted (分心) is using his ways to effectively self-control, while one who appears to be listening may be distracted by the need to keep up appearances.

But this doesn't apply to all students. For some, the typical behavior of a "good listener" really does mean that they're paying attention. So, if you can't use movement or eye contact as a standard of paying attention, how can you tell whether a student is listening attentively?

There are ways you can use to help students to figure this out. Give students freedom to experiment with ways to listen. You could start by explaining to students that you care more about what their minds are doing than what their bodies are doing. Then let them know they are free to look around and move around, as long as they make a sincere effort to listen.

The phrase whole body listening doesn't have to mean controlling natural movement. If we consider the diversity of what various bodies do while listening, whole body listening can take on a new, wide meaning—truly using your whole body to help you listen well.