Just started using PECS speech therapy at home

[kim121672]

Wednesday Kohen's speech therapist gave me a couple of sheets of laminated PECS picture cards to use at home with Kohen.  So I cut them out and made some of my own from pictures off the internet.  I used it this past weekend to get Kohen to use the potty without a fight and it was amazing!  All I did was show him a picture of a potty and said "First you go potty" and then I showed him a picture of Spongebob and said "then you can watch Spongebob" and he went a running to the bathroom and went potty!  Today he is even back on his regular potty schedule, and I didn't even have to use PECS.  I guess the pictures are supposed to ease their anxiety because when they get upset, their hearing gets overstimulated and they can't understand what you are saying.  I have also used it to show him where we will be going for the day so he doesn't get upset if we go somewhere unexpected.  I just love PECS.  It did not take away any of his verbal communication skills, in fact I think it actually has improved it a little but I just started so I can't really say for definate.  I'm still learning more ways to use it. 

 

[isaacandlola]

Oct. 15, 2007 at 2:02 PM

I love it too!  We started using it with Isaac last year, and he has now transitioned from pics to words on his cards.  That was exciting.  It is good to use them in any situation that can be over-stimulating.  We travel by plane 2-3 times a year, and when Isaac turned 4 he started to lose it at the worst times - mid-air, baggage claim, etc.  So we created a set of cards that displayed each step of the trip so he was prepared.  It helps around the holidays if there are lots of activities and guests. 

 

Isaac is going as Spiderman this year.  He is so excited.  What is Kohen going as? 

 

[kim121672]

Oct. 15, 2007 at 4:24 PM

Yeah we will definitely be using PECS during major outings and unexpected trips.  Another nice thing about PECS is that it is inexpensive and easy to use.  The laminated pics that Kohen's speech therapist made for us have the words underneath the pictures so that is an added bonus.  I commented on your pic of the thing Isaac was building.  That is really neat, where did you get that?  Kohen would probably faint of excitement if we got him one of those!

For Halloween we are thinking maybe a pirate costume.  I have been pretend playing with him to say "trick or treat" and putting candy in his bucket.  He is an expert now, hopefully he will be ok when we take him around the neighborhood.     

(Original Poster)

[isaacandlola]

Oct. 15, 2007 at 6:44 PM Costco has a giant tub of the tinkertoys, out for the holidays, no doubt.  I know toysrus has smaller bins for sale.  It was nice because it was something for Isaac and Daddy to "bond" over.  I am always trying to find things for them to share that is as typical as possible.  My husband is Mr. Over Achiever Intel Engineer, and it has been harder than he is willing to admit that Isaac has an ASD.  But he does pretty good.  Try Kid k'nx as well - Isaac will play with them for hours and is so excited about every new creation.  Wow, I wish Isaac would be something for halloween than a movie billboard.  His other choice was Dora the Explorer, wig and all, and I didn't think my husband could fully handle walking his son in drag around trick or treating. 

[kim121672]

Oct. 15, 2007 at 7:22 PM

Hmm I've never heard of Tinkertoys, I will have to go to ToysRus.  Well it seems like Isaac may be a future engineer himself!  That is good building, you always know when they enjoy something when they can spend hours with it.  I think it is a good outlet for them when they get overstimulated.  That is good that you are getting your husband involved in Isaac's activities, that will help him understand Isaac better.  My hubby didn't have a hard time with Kohen's ASD diagnosis only because he is bipolar so it is easier to relate.  I had a harder time, I felt like I failed my son.  That was because I did not know enough about the disorder but then I obssessively did my research and now I am Kohen's biggest advocate. 

Lol, Dora the Explorer, that is cute.  Maybe he can go as Diego instead?  Kohen isn't to the point yet of being able to answer us of what he wants to be for Halloween but he likes Spongebob so we thought about a pirate.  Maybe I'll just take him to the store and see what he picks out. 

(Original Poster)

[hakelasmom]

Oct. 24, 2007 at 8:38 PM www.do2learn.com has pec too.  I used that for a while.