Just done day 1 of the two-day Pyramid PECS course

[SixSpotBurnet]

We've been "doing" PECS at home with DS3 for a while (and they use PECS at nursery) but I'm really hoping that doing the course is going to be a massive help and really motivate us to encourage him to use it much more instead of just being lazy and doing everything for him to keep him happy .

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Hope you got a nice lunch (ours was yummy for the 2 day workshop- ropey for the PECS thoughtout the day and PECS conference - different venues).

Have you met any other parents?

[AmIWhatAndWhy]

Oh great, I'm considering doing one in the spring, will be great to hear how you find it!

[SixSpotBurnet]

I've found it really useful.

Just commented to DH that it is the first time I have felt we are really empowered to do something in a structured way to help DS3,

What it has shown up, though, is what a haphazard way we've been using PECS at home - and. more worryingly, how haphazardly he seems to have been using it at nursery.

E.g. I thought he was pretty well established on Phase II - but I bought a proper PECS communication book today and when we used it this evening, he had the greatest of difficulty getting the symbol off the front of the book - which presumably means he is not used to taking the symbol off the front of the book at nursery either .

anyway, we are where we are, but he's only 4, so plenty of time to do good work but we must start now! Am going to arrange to go into nursery on my day off on Thursday to talk to his lovely LSA (who really should be doing the course too) and work though Phase II with her so that hopefully we can be doing the same things at home and at nursery,

I mentioned to the consultants who did the training (who were great) that he could point to his most commonly used symbols as well as to pictures in books and say the names. They seemed to think that was really encouraging and indicated we should get him onto Phase III - discrimination - as soon as humanly possible.

So it was very enjoyable and encouraging but ultimately a bit scary - as Jimjams has often said, it has just brought it home to me that I have to teach him this stuff, can't rely on anyone else to do it for us {nervous ).

[SixSpotBurnet]

p.s. met one other parent on the course but he lives quite a way away (Surrey)

[sphil]

This was the first worthwhile course I ever went on. DS2 was 4 when we started and he picked it up very quickly - but he wasn't pointing and saying names of things, so I think your DS should do fantastically well!

I remember they gave us chocolates as motivators [sad emoticon] And I met Springreens - she was lovely - anyone remember her? I often wonder if she changed her name and is still on here.

[moondog]

Glad to hear it Six.
Yes, it needs to be done properly and Gawd knows why so many people can't take that in.PECS being done badly all over the place.You are depressingly right about not being complacent and relying on others. SN education is still overall shockingly shoddy.

Who is doing the training?
Is Theresa one of them?

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

I like Teresa and Julia.

I'm talking to 2nd year SALT students today about autism (non-academic talk) but I'm going to mention the importance of decent PECS training and tell them if they're asked to implement it they need to make sure they have been on the 2 day workshop.

[moondog]

Oh yes Jimjams please do.
I had one salt ask me the other day 'Are you a PECS purist? 'Cos I'm not.'

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Dear god.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Oh Moondog I got paid yesterday so ordered the Boardmaker Activity Pad. I'll let you know how we get on and how we get on. DS1 is really using PECS well at the moment , including for commenting so I'm hoping we'll be able to use it to expand his language and literacy in a way he likes.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Glad it was useful btw SSB. All the pyramid courses I've been on have been well run and well thought out.

[moondog]

I know JJ.
Glad to know PECS is going well.
Yes, let me know about Boardmaker Pad. I never have enough time to play about with these things.
Mind you was at a very swish communication aid presentation today

[SixSpotBurnet]

Yes it was Theresa and Julia!

I am afraid I scoffed the chocs .

I am going in to nursery tomorrow afternoon (my day off) to do some PECS stuff with DS3 and his LSA - who is very willing to learn and will definitely take it on board. Hope I can explain it all clearly .

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

ooh swish but fiddly perhaps? I am hoping the boardmaker activity pad (BAP which means breast in our house) will be simple. It needs no software, just bung in a plastic pocket and record so that was part of my reason for being tempted.

Good luck tomorrow SSB!

[moondog]

Yes.
More suieed to stroke patients really but really great and has a screen on which you can draw which presenter said a lot of people love and use more readily than text.

Best thing is a very natural sounding voice.

This technology is moving so fast.Very exciting times.

[moondog]

Theresa came ot my house for dinner when they came up to North Wales (they did 2 x 2day PECS courses for hundreds of people.It was fab!

I have tonnes of fridge magnets and we spent a large part of he evening discussing their use as 3D PECS symbols.

[SixSpotBurnet]

I was absurdly pleased when she seemed quite impressed that DS3 could point to and name some pictures.

I didn't tell her about the Mummy Duck thing though! (ie DS3 points to the picture of the rubber duck in his book and says very confidently "Mummy!)

[moondog]