Fw: [VerbalBehavior] Sign Language versus Picture Communication system

[Guest guest]

From: Simona Dima

Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 10:43 PM

To: VerbalBehavior

Subject: Re: [VerbalBehavior] PECS

Hi,From my experience with my 5 and a half little boy, nonverbal as well, PECS have made a huge difference in getting him to request spontaneously. He will now go to his sister or dad or guest in the house and show them the picture with the item he wants (people who might not know ASL, or mistaken the sign) while I still prompt him for the sign the second he hands me the picture.It is always good to keep the sign for those times when PECS is not as handy to capture that very second when the child is motivated to make a request.I have all the PECS with velcro on the side wall of the kitchen counter, and while at home, he will go select a picture and hand it to the first person he sees (me, dad or 6 years old sister) which is so important...this way any attempt of a request is being reinforced, even though not everyone in our family are familiar with ASL.He will now sometimes sign, sometimes use PECS or do both the same time.Definitely, please give it a try.Simona, ________________________________From: wheelertrio2002 <wheelertrio2002>To: VerbalBehavior Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 6:27:07 PMSubject: [VerbalBehavior] PECSI 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.