DS1 (aged 7) just produced his FIRST Makaton sign.

[Gess]

I'm a regular btw hiding under a different name for the moment.

His therapist is working with him, we decided to introduce Makaton now he can imitate (thanks Socci and Davros) and he's asking for "jump" (to jump off the playhouse roof!).

Amazed how quickly he got it- "do this" - bit of shaping and we were there......

[amynnixmum]

[lourobert]

How fab........!

[theheadgirl]

Hurrah!!!!

[moondog]

Hmm,wonder who toy are???

Bloody brilliant.

[moondog]

you

[Gess]

OK - so "jump" has worked on account of its intrinsic reinforcement I guess- will now generalise around the house- so what next? biscuit????

[moondog]

biscuit
sweet
tickles

[Gess]

tickels a good one- am trying to draw up reinforcement list. Is there a sign for "mirror"?

[moondog]

Generally in work as an salt I haven't found signing to be so successful with people with ASD but am giving it another whirl now as am mixing with a lot of ABA therapists on my MSc course who use it.

[moondog]

As a salt I always go for more,but ABA therapists tell me they feel it is too vague.

[Gess]

Thank you all btw- I was told to avoid generics at first christie - in case he just signs more for everything (which actually is what ds3 did as a baby!). Just flicking through the signs, maybe not smoke!

[Gess]

• he's never picked Makaton up before- been trying since he was 2, but think his imitation is so good now (and he is lazy about getting PECS books). I suspect a combination of signs and PECS could work well. He was trying to approximate saying "jump" as well.

[moondog]

We try and 'flood' with Makaton,PECS and spech in class so kids can pick 'n mix.
I've just started doing lots of singing and signing sessions (as much for teachers as kids) which go down a storm-the music orovides extra interest.

I make visual ais to represent each song/nursery rhyme nad the kids and teachers pick one out in turn which we all then sing and sign.

[Gess]

ds1's school uses PECS and Makaton - so it will be interesting and useful if it does click with him!

[tobysmumkent]

Message withdrawn

[Gess]

"garden" is hard isn't it?

[chonky]

brilliant news Gess

[coppertop]

Fantastic news, Gess!

[2shoesonanegghunt]

[mymatemax]

Fantastic, what about TV or Video?

[saintmaybe]

[Davros]

Hmmm, can't work out who you are...... I think signing is great with ASD but my DS also needs/uses PECs and other "ways" to communicate (pointing, grunting etc!). The reason that some people are a bit unsure that "more" is a good sign to teach early on is because it gets substituted for lots of things rather than the child learning the signs for the things iyswim. E.G. instead of saying "more" they could learn to say "bread", "chocolate" etc. Of course they could do both. "Help" can be the same. It is useful but can be used instead of learning the specific word.