Making PECs, scheduling materials etc

[Davros]

Jimjams, have you got boardmaker? Its wonderful (I didn't pay for it BTW). As I said on B&D, we use digital pictures too and we also use bits of packaging or pix from mags/catalogues etc. Don't feel you're not doing enough by not having pix of everything becuase, IME, you will never be able to do it all, its like the Forth (sp?) Bridge, its just too labour intensive. I've often spent time making PECs/pix of things that seems like they'll be useful and they don't get used!! After 6 years I still feel like I'm missing out on lots of ways to use these materials and, even though I'm "Mrs ABA" I'm going on a TEACCH workshop to see if I can get more ideas, motivation and inspiration. I've also found having my own laminator fantastic. At first I didn't think it was necessary and used to take stuff to the local PIP but a friend said get one and it really is one of the best things I've got. They're not too expensive now either. I laminate lots of other stuff like membership cards of my own, photos of kids for purse etc. My best velcro sources are Pound shops or by the metre at John Lewis.

[Jimjams]

Got the laminator- a godsend you're right. it I use a Mac so couldn't get widget- instead I bought clicker 4 and then added the Meyer Johnson symbols- in total came to about 100 quid so a bit cheaper than boardmaker. It suits us as well as nursery have widget which uses the Meyer-Johnson symbols as well rather than the boardmaker symbols.

I know what you mean. I always feel a bit guilty as I don't really have a toy choice board. On the other hand the only toy he would choose would be the trampoline anyayw- he doesn't really play with toys- ykwim I'm sure. The other problem I have is that ds2 wanders off with the symbols (you have this to come) so I sort out his book and then it all ends up on the floor! Grrr.

Just introducing visual timetables at home now. I just never feel very organised. It'll be useful from September though as he'll be doing some days at school and some at nursery.

We'll be doing the PECS course next year- they only come here once a year but I want dh to go as well. Motivation, inspiration and just some more ideas. According to the SALT I think we'll be using symbols for many years (I knew that anyway)

Luckily clicker 4 is on my laptop so I can make symbols and watch tv. Just ordered a book about promoting literacy using symbols- it looks quite good (had a browse).

[Jimjams]

So go on Davros- where's the best place for velcro? I've found haberdashery departments the best bet so far.

Been inspired and popped out with ds1 today to buy a three drawer organiser thing- all my PECS stuff and laminator bits and pieces is now neatly filed away

AND I've stuck the visual timetable to the wall at last.....

[Davros]

Yes, definitely John Lewis haberdashery. Also pound stores sometimes have it and the stuff sold by the PECs organisation itself isn't bad. I'm always on the look out for it. Three drawer organiser thing sounds good. Mine is all stuffed in a plastic crate-thing at the moment and I'm feeling that I'm not on top of it. PECs make you feel like that though. Lots are around on boards etc but they need constant monitoring for relevance..... Our visual timetable is not in use at the moment but is "a work in progress" I made the mistake a couple of years ago of having all 7 days of the week and filling up every gap with the photo of a therapist. It was sooooo busy and my son just wanted to take down the photos and stare at his favourite people. Once we get the latest one ready we might show every day but only put symbols/pix on for one day at a time. Seems obvious now but..... I've also heard of people colour coding each day and putting the same colour on the background of the pic/symbol. Sounds great but haven't they got reality TV to watch or something

[Jimjams]

I started making a mini 7 day timetable (may use it in september to show school days and nursery days) but it made my head spin. For now am doing one day at a time. Tomorrow though we have a once yearly visit from a friend so not sure what to put. And I have no idea what we will do in the afternoon.

I planned to colourcode stuff but already its gone wrong. I am not a very organised person so I'm sure that's why PECS is so trying!

Very proud of my 3 drawers though

[Davros]

I find it very hard to categorise things. I try to keep them in sections but then can't decide if something is food or a toy or if its a reinforcer etc. I also use those A4 plastic pocket things for storing 35mm slides and put them in an A4 file. Its all great in theory but I've lost track of it all at the moment (suppose I can blame 5 mos baby!). Don't know what you should put for Monday, maybe a question mark or see if there's a "friend" symbol.....

[fio2]

oh god you have to be organised to use PECS? may aswell give up now then! dd's new teacher is going to 'teach' me how to use it when she starts back, but I am that disorganised I dont know when they do start back