Re: Fw: [VerbalBehavior] Sign Language versus PECS

[Guest guest]

I agree with this...we started my son with PECs since that seemed to be the easiest for him...but as he aged we ended up with a huge amount of pictures. We moved then to an AT device that spoke the words that matched the pictures but ended up with two devices which had 6 overlays each. These were great for teaching words and sign but batteries and overlays...and carrying them around was a bit much. He is 8 now and uses every and all methods he can think of to get you to understand his needs. He is even beginning to make up stories with sounds. He has fine motor delays so his signs are not accurate (adaptations) and many of his sounds include an adaptation that helps you to sort of get it. Of course this comes with much practice, so no, the world does not get him...but I have really high hopes that some day it will. If you are around him for a while its not a problem...fortunately the basic signs are there.

I was led to believe that teaching them "too many" ways to communicate would not be a good thing by the school district. I was so naive at that time so I actually tried to not understand or allow his way to communication..they called it "tough love." It led to frustration and behaviors for him that I am still dealing with...and of course a huge battle for me as I am so angry that they actually told me to do the wrong thing so, IMHO, they didn't have to accomodate his communication needs.

He is so amazing now how he manages to communicate. His level of thinking seems to be so much higher than our brains allow us to think...and they say he is delayed...he is so proud of me when I finally get it....even gives me a sticker! or a pat on the head...then he wipes his brow and says "schewwww" like I am way too much work for him.

Regards,

Darla Haskell

Re: [VerbalBehavior] PECS

I am a Speech and Language Pathologist, and I firmly believe in using PECs,

signing and verbal speech together, as we called "Total Communication" with

sign and speech previously. My belief is to expose them to all modes of

communication to optimize language acquisition, and accept all modes they

give you back, including a mixture! Informal Gestures fit in this mix

also.

On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 3:27 PM, wheelertrio2002

<wheelertrio2002>wrote:

>

>

> I have always leaned towards signing with my daughter (7, nonverbal, severe

> Autism). My interest was just peaked by a Speech Therapist recentely in

> using PECS. She loaned me the training manual and I was so surprised to see

> it is based on Verbal Behavior. My daughter has about 25 signs but really

> doen not use them spontaneously despite years of ABA training. I am thinking

> maybe we should give PECS a try but am struggling a bit with how to

> incorporate it without losing her signs. Would love any opininions or ideas

> you may have.

>

>

>

--

"I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical.

Even God had some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all

spin." ~ Jerry Newport

[Guest guest]

I think one of the worst things someone could do is not give attention to communication from a non verbal child. How frustrating it must be for the child when no one responds to their requests. Unfortunately, not too many instructors actually know how to teach non verbal children to communicate so they end up blaming the child's abilities for their own incompetence.

>

>

> I have always leaned towards signing with my daughter (7, nonverbal, severe

> Autism). My interest was just peaked by a Speech Therapist recentely in

> using PECS. She loaned me the training manual and I was so surprised to see

> it is based on Verbal Behavior. My daughter has about 25 signs but really

> doen not use them spontaneously despite years of ABA training. I am thinking

> maybe we should give PECS a try but am struggling a bit with how to

> incorporate it without losing her signs. Would love any opininions or ideas

> you may have.

>

>

>

--

"I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical.

Even God had some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all

spin." ~ Jerry Newport

[Guest guest]

I think one of the worst things someone could do is not give attention to communication from a non verbal child. How frustrating it must be for the child when no one responds to their requests. Unfortunately, not too many instructors actually know how to teach non verbal children to communicate so they end up blaming the child's abilities for their own incompetence.

>

>

> I have always leaned towards signing with my daughter (7, nonverbal, severe

> Autism). My interest was just peaked by a Speech Therapist recentely in

> using PECS. She loaned me the training manual and I was so surprised to see

> it is based on Verbal Behavior. My daughter has about 25 signs but really

> doen not use them spontaneously despite years of ABA training. I am thinking

> maybe we should give PECS a try but am struggling a bit with how to

> incorporate it without losing her signs. Would love any opininions or ideas

> you may have.

>

>

>

--

"I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical.

Even God had some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all

spin." ~ Jerry Newport