RE: I think my son said to me I love you today...

February 24, 2008

, that is great, my daughter is using an old dyimite, but has new device on order. She took to the device like a bee to honey. I believe using it has increase her trying to use words . Yes she is mostly non verbal also. Mostly uses only one word at a time when speaking, but will put two to three icons together to make a sentence. Pattison <egerpatt@...> wrote: Hello, Just wanted to share.... My son Evan,

who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal, started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this morning.... Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner buffet and so I asked him if

he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device. So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when desining the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was expressing that he was with em and that made him feel good. I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just beginning to see. I thought I would share this as

many of you may have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.

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February 25, 2008

, That is wonderful news!!! I bet he will learn that so quickly that you will continue to be amazed!! I know that there is so much in there that is just waiting to come out! Laurie p.s. I know he loves you very much!! Pattison <egerpatt@...> wrote: Hello, Just wanted to share.... My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal, started using an augmentative device - the

MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this morning.... Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To reinforce this I also prompted him to find

'banana' on the device. So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when desining the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was expressing that he was with em and that made him feel good. I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please

explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.

February 25, 2008

Thanks Laurie! I know, too, that he loves me, but I was really amazed by the way he expressed it with a device that wasn't even fully set up for that. I mean, it wasn't set up under 'emotions' or 'people', it was somewhere else, but he found it and expressed that he was comfortable and happy with me. See, I just did not get to setting that page up yet yet he found a way! What is great to me is that Ev he keeps trying to get his meaning across no matter how difficult it is for him..... he is very resourceful, smart, and is able to utilize what he has through a limited repertoire; he does not give up. I am learning each day something great about him, beyond being awful cute and loving, because he is able to express himself somewhat better each day, using the device. Expressing love for someone is what you'd typically not start

with PECS or a device because people and specialists/professionals tend to assume that you have to start with clear and concrete choice making between mostly primary/food items. That may be an easy way to establish some basic skills (or take data) but I would warn to stay on that level because what I have seen with Ev is that his mind is very 'advanced', way beyond the levels he had been assumed to be capable to think or express himself. I have never been hungup on hearning my son say 'I love you'. What I want most is that he can express what he wants and needs - I don't care if it is not about him loving me! Never even dreamt about it. I want him to be able to just verbalize ANYTHING. I have now stopped obsessing with verbal language because I don't think it is the end of the world that he can't talk (yet). I don't want him to feel that awful pressure either. But with the device, he has been very

successful. I just really haven't even expected him to express his feelings for me!!! Not yet, not without teaching him to do this! Yet he did it.... So, I was surpised, amazed, inspired and humbled by all of this because there is so little I know of him still... Thanks for the kid words, Laurie, Laurie Kowalski <lyndhurstmom3@...> wrote: , That is wonderful news!!! I bet he will learn that so quickly

that you will continue to be amazed!! I know that there is so much in there that is just waiting to come out! Laurie p.s. I know he loves you very much!! Pattison <egerpatt > wrote: Hello, Just wanted to share.... My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal, started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has surprised me with

how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this morning.... Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device. So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when desining the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my

picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was expressing that he was with em and that made him feel good. I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.

February 25, 2008

Thanks !! These devices sure can make a differences for some children. I am glad it's been working for Corrina too. Interesting that I noticed an increase in verbal attempts as well since we started using the device! I know this does happen sometimes but still, I was surprised -- happily surprised! Deering <nandee_7@...> wrote: , that is great, my daughter is using an old dyimite, but has new device on order. She took

to the device like a bee to honey. I believe using it has increase her trying to use words . Yes she is mostly non verbal also. Mostly uses only one word at a time when speaking, but will put two to three icons together to make a sentence. Pattison <egerpatt > wrote: Hello, Just wanted to share.... My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal, started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn it's structure or

anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this morning.... Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device. So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when desining

the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was expressing that he was with em and that made him feel good. I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease. Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

February 25, 2008

! That's so wonderful! I remember so well those very precious moments, they're lasting memories that will bless you over and over again.

Wishing you Many more precious moments to come!

Yours Most Truly,

n

In a message dated 2/24/08 10:01:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, egerpatt@... writes:

Thanks !! These devices sure can make a differences for some children. I am glad it's been working for Corrina too. Interesting that I noticed an increase in verbal attempts as well since we started using the device! I know this does happen sometimes but still, I was surprised -- happily surprised!

February 25, 2008

That is great !

How exciting!

Hello,> > Just wanted to share....> > My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal, started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this morning....> > Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device. So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when desining the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was expressing that he was with> em and that made him feel good. > > I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.> >

~

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February 25, 2008

:

I just got the email about Evan saying he

loves you – what a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing. Give him a hug

for me!

Tique

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Pattison

Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008

5:36 PM

autismNE;

autismbiomedcleveland; biomedohio

Subject: [ ] I think my son

said to me " I love you " today...

Hello,

Just wanted to share....

My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal,

started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I

have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty

extensive PECS

book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a

little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance

to totally learn it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use

it. He has surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts

and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys

using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this

morning....

Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen

table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this

somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner

buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To

reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device. So we

peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went

to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites'

buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we

wanted these to be easily accessible when desining the set-up for the

device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my picture (I am one of

the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the

sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I

need to have a button and voice output for that! Maybe I am reading into

it but I think that he was expressing that he was with em and that made him

feel good.

I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just

beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may have

children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please

explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may

just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.

February 25, 2008

Thanks Tique :-) I can't wait to learn more about the things he wants to and now CAN say! Petique Oeflein <tique@...> wrote: : I just got the email about Evan saying he loves you – what a wonderful

story! Thank you for sharing. Give him a hug for me! Tique From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of PattisonSent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 5:36 PMautismNE;

autismbiomedcleveland; biomedohioSubject: [ ] I think my son said to me "I love you" today... Hello, Just wanted to share.... My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-verbal, started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2 weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew me away this morning.... Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device. So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when desining the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and pressed my picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice

output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was expressing that he was with em and that made him feel good. I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.

February 25, 2008

>

That's awesome!!!!

> Hello,

>

> Just wanted to share....

>

> My son Evan, who will be 6 in a few days, with autism, non-

verbal, started using an augmentative device - the MiniMerc about 2

weeks ago. I have it at home for now and I am working on gradually

transferring a pretty extensive PECS book onto it. So it is not

nearly complete, the school only used it a little bit for making food

choices, so it really isn't like my son had a chance to totally learn

it's structure or anything. He is just beginning to use it. He has

surprised me with how quickly he was learning the shortcuts and

changing the boards and I found it very encouraging that he truly

enjoys using it and prefers it to gestures or pictures. But he blew

me away this morning....

>

> Toward the end of breakfast/brunch I sat hi on the kitchen table

in front of me so I could give him a hug. He seemed to enjoy this

somewhat. He was this way turned toward the fruit tray on the corner

buffet and so I asked him if he wanted a banana. he nodded yes. To

reinforce this I also prompted him to find 'banana' on the device.

So we peeled the banana together, he took a few bites...then he put

it down and went to his device. He went to the top page, and pressed

the 'my favorites' buttons which contain items that he tends to crave

and want very quickly - we wanted these to be easily accessible when

desining the set-up for the device. So anyhow, he went in there and

pressed my picture (I am one of the choices under favorites), and

when I responded to him, he smiled the sweetest way. I think he was

trying to say he loved me. I think I need to have a button and voice

output for that! Maybe I am reading into it but I think that he was

expressing that he was with

> em and that made him feel good.

>

> I continue to be amazed by my son's wonderful mind that I am just

beginning to see. I thought I would share this as many of you may

have children that do not talk. If this is the case for you, please

explore obtaining a dynamic communication device for them that may

just open up a way for them to express themselves with ease.

>

February 25, 2008