very early language learning

[Jimjams]

I got the winslow catalogue this morning and have been looking throught their products. As usual everything is too advanced for ds1. I need something that will help ds1 get from nouns to proper 2 word combinations. As the moment I have a suspicion he can understand learned 2 or three word phrases but can't really build them up iykwim. We don't really need noun practice, but adjectives, verbs and very easy sentence construction. I've been doing in on under by myslef but feel I need further ideas (as you have probably guessed still no SALT!)

Anyone come across anything suitable, don't mind if its cards, games, computer programs etc.

Hi JimJams, I really should be able to give you some good answers but........ Are you working on receptive or expressive? Are you using visual cues, trying signing or PECs? Prepositions are hard for my son (in, under, on top OK but others too abstract). Most recommended book for language development in ASD is Teaching Language to Children with Autism by Mark L. Sundberg and James W. Partington and its accompanying curriculum the ABLLS but I haven't used it and developed son's excellent receptive with exposure through teaching other things.... There is also Teach Me Language by SK Freeman PhD & L Dake BA with worksheets (also haven't used) but thought I heard this was quite advanced. Also not sure how much of these you can implement consistently as parent....... This probably isn't much use but I could have a trawl through saved stuff to find anything else.

Hi JimJams, I really should be able to give you some good answers but........ Are you working on receptive or expressive? Are you using visual cues, trying signing or PECs? Prepositions are hard for my son (in, under, on top OK but others too abstract). Most recommended book for language development in ASD is Teaching Language to Children with Autism by Mark L. Sundberg and James W. Partington and its accompanying curriculum the ABLLS but I haven't used it and developed son's excellent receptive with exposure through teaching other things.... There is also Teach Me Language by SK Freeman PhD & L Dake BA with worksheets (also haven't used) but thought I heard this was quite advanced. Also not sure how much of these you can implement consistently as parent....... This probably isn't much use but I could have a trawl through saved stuff to find anything else.

Hi JimJams, I really should be able to give you some good answers but........ Are you working on receptive or expressive? Are you using visual cues, trying signing or PECs? Prepositions are hard for my son (in, under, on top OK but others too abstract). Most recommended book for language development in ASD is Teaching Language to Children with Autism by Mark L. Sundberg and James W. Partington and its accompanying curriculum the ABLLS but I haven't used it and developed son's excellent receptive with exposure through teaching other things.... There is also Teach Me Language by SK Freeman PhD & L Dake BA with worksheets (also haven't used) but thought I heard this was quite advanced. Also not sure how much of these you can implement consistently as parent....... This probably isn't much use but I could have a trawl through saved stuff to find anything else.

Oops! Impatient presring again, sorry.

I have Teach Me Language and as you said it is a little advanced. Really I'm searching for an easier version if that. We can't use signs as ds1 can't copy them but he does use PECS.

At the moment I'm trying to get across the idea of language being made up of words. I think he learns in phrases rather than individul words- you know what I mean I'm sure. So for example I have the PECS for "put car on chair" "put car under blue chair" etc And I'll show him that and get him to follow the instruction. He still needs lots of guidance but we are getting there. For verbs we've been posting pictures of different verbs, but he's pretty good at demand avoidance on that one so I'm taking it gently - he's happy to learn nouns and adjectives until they're coming out of his ears, just not so keen on anything else. I'm just looking for more ideas really - a structured syllabus would be great- just ideas of things to do for short perids each day. At this stage I think receptive langauge is more important than expressive.

I'll check out the Sundberg stuff- thanks for that suggestion.

Jimjams, I'm probably way off-beam here, so excuse my ignorance, but Inclusive Technology have a lot of computer stuff, some of which looks to my untutored eye as though it might be of some use. The page I linked to has a speech output device.
I once ordered a CD-Rom from them, so they send me catalogues all the time, which is why I'd come across them, but I expect you know of them already.
I just read your post about your ds and hats- what a sweetiepie he must have looked! And a good step forward by the sounds of it, more to the point.

Not off course at all- inclusive technology is an excellent site- and I've ordered my PECS stuff from them. Software isn't my first choice as ds1 can't use a mouse very easily, but I will have another look at their stuff - thanks for the reminder.

He's still wearing the hat btw!

Aw, bless him! You'll have to get him in a nice variety, pirates and so on. Presumably if he'll wear your dad's crash helmet he would wear a riding hat, so that bodes well?

Catching up late on this. I was wondering about software too. There's lots of ways to teach how to use the computer such as add-on touch screens (not too much £, big keys, roller ball mouse, big cursors etc and, the one that works the most, putting a piece of velcro on the right click button of the mouse! My son has learnt quite well this way but is completely indifferent to the computer, he can take it or leave it!!! Some ASD kids love it and maybe he'll grow into it?

do any of you know if you can buy audio tapes with action rhymes for children with physical problems/speech delays. They are a bit slower I think so easier to follow. Do they exist or have I imagined them? where are they available?

No idea fio2- but I'd be interested.

I think my son falls intot the categroy of being fascinated by the computer davros. his school are applying for a grant to get him some equipment to help him use the computer. The velcro tip is a good one- I'll remember that!

davros - have you used the different roads to learning people in the states? They stock the Sundberg book. I'm considering buying it, but can't find a UK supplier.

Cheers- it looks like the sort of thing I need.

oh btw- sent a message to chatters- no reply yet- the moderators have changed so I'm not sure who it is now. Lots of people are on holiday- if I don't hear anything I'll ask again in a week or so- or try and track down the moderators through the webpage.

Jimjams, I have used Different Roads and they are excellent, the woman who runs it is lovely (parent of a child with ASD of course!). To find out P&P you have to email Julie and she will let you know the cost, it probably wouldn't be too much just for the S&P book/ABLLS. I've been thinking of ordering some things so maybe if you want to order together to pay less P&P let me know. Another book I STRONGLY recommend can be bought in the UK, don't scream at the title!! Its "Behavioural Intervention for Young Children with Autism" by by Catherine Maurice and Gina Green, Stephen Luce ISBN # 0-89079-683-1, Also available in the UK from Taskmaster Ltd, Morris Road, Leicester, LE2 6BR, Tel: 0116 2704286 www.taskmasteronline.co.uk Its full of the sort of exercises you're trying to do at the mo' and was originally recommended to me by Dr Gillian Baird, very well known and respcted developmental paed at Guy's. Let me know what you decide......

Jimjams- wondered if you'd already seen/use this book? We have it at work and I think it's great- clear, practical, realistic and positive.

Thanks scummy. I've flicked through more than words- the early bird course I did was very influenced by the Hanen programme and a lot of more than words is included in the parent book. You're right it is good. I'm looking more for a kind of early syllabus- how to teach "who has", prepositions verbs etc. Mind you I've just found an excellent private SALT, so I think I'll stick with her now and give up trying to do it all myself.

Thanks again.

Oops, just realised I said to put a piece of velcro on the right click, when it should be left (or the one you WANT them to use). Didn't anyone have an answer about the tapes with delayed actions/speech? I'm sure I've heard of them on a USA website...