ds1's annual review- more PECS

[Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads]

Had the annual review this week. It was lovely. His old teacher has a very good understanding of him- what makes him tick (and what doesn't).

ONe thing that really pleased me (and remember I am used to him being the most unmanageable of an SLD class) was that he is using PECS at a higher conceptual level than any other child he has taught (this was the nursery class). He refuses to exchange for toys and other common reinforcers (not interested enough),although will happily exchange for food, but is using it to ask for things like "help", and "different" (if he wants something and has no symbol he requests "I want different")- hence the high conceptual level.

That's great . DS2 also not interested in exchanging for toys or other reinforcers - but will ask for ice cream and crisps twenty times a day! I'm slowly introducing more pictures of toys and activities and he'll do a trial OK but he hasn't ever initiated an exchange for anything other than food (except for video - another 20 times a day one...)

The description of your DS asking for 'something different' made me smile - so clever! It's like DS2 saying 'later?' when I tell him he can't have something - yet he can't say (or possibly even understand) 'Mummy' and 'Daddy'.

Your DS's school sounds brilliant. Perhaps we should reconsider our move down West.

I was stunned the first time he used "I want different". he was carrying on, trying to drag me up from my chair and my feet were killing me, so I said "get pecs ds1", off he went and came back with "I want different" - he wanted the front door to be opened and shut or something. Oh "I want break" he does as well, to have a rest from demands

The first time DS2 used 'later' was during his last BIBIC assessment when the therapist was trying unsuccessfully to get him to sit at the table and do a puzzle! He said it AND signed it. We just stared open mouthed at each other.

At what stage did you teach DS1 to ask for help and break? In my manual it says you should do it with Phase 3 (which DS2 is on) but our SALT says we should concentrate on introducing more symbols first.

School introduced it. They introduced break for situations like PE where he would run off and start opening and closing doors, the idea being that he would request a break, and would be allowed to sit in a chair but then had to return to the activity. They itroduced help because he was whacking the crap out of his head when his trike got stuck at break time, so they velcroed "help" to the handlebars and got him to exchange instead.

I;ve introduced more specific things at home like " I want light on". I think its good to fit in around wants - ds1 picks those symbols up really quickly (needs to be shown once usually).

I bet you were stunned- impressed at signing too!

Weirdly he generalised help really easily. So he'll ask for help to open a door for example.

Well done to your Ds1. That's really impressive to be operating at that level and to have worked out a way of telling you. I think asking for help is really significant too because it shows a realisation that you need to work with other people to achieve things. You should be really proud.

Oh that is splendid news.
This is where things get really exciting!

I'm stunned, and chuffed with him. Mizmiz- was hoping you would see this

Has alos spurred me on with my fabulous fanny pack (pmsl). Mizmiz- just relaise di forgot to reply to your email will send you a photo of the pecs fanny pack if I can remember your real name.

Okey dokey.
When I left work 30 months ago,we had a few children who sound pretty similar to your ds and who zoomed up to this level in PECS.

I am dying to see them all when I get back to work in January.I know that the whole A/Ac thing is really in place now and one of the teachers has been trained as a PECS implementor!!

The thing that makes me really happy is seeing how the school realize that communication is everybody's responsibility,not merely that of the salt for 30 mins (or less) a week.

ok emailed you the pic, now really must work!

I got that pic... how does it differ from a PECs apron? It looks like its got a bit more capacity, anything else?
I was pleased and surprised last week when the Care Leader (or whatever he is) at DS's respite centre said that he has the best and most functional use of PECs out of the kids they have there, and some are verbal, less challenging etc. BUT then it made me feel guilty for not doing enough! DS also generalised help quite easily but he always signs it...

I was impressed by your ds' signs! We've never got anywhere with signing.

It's very different from a pecs apron. The apron has pockets so you're fumbling around for signs trying to find the right one. This is like wearing a pecs book, but folds up. Also has clear see through plastic pockets (that can't be seen on the photo), and the top half lifts up so there's more symbol space. I do like the way it folds up with velcro. I wear it like that and ds1 comes up, rips it open and exchanges. It's really upped his no of requests. So now I need more velcro and to finish transferring symbols. More jobs!

You're so much better about PECs and on top of it than me. Its been my "next" project for over a year although we manage well with our basic PECs book and Makaton, I'm sure we (i.e. me) could do better.
Do they make a version with printed bra and suspenders (or muff for kicking)?

hmmm PECS underwear- not sure what dh would make of that

Oh god I am so not organised with PECS (with anything). I wish I was - would do it so much better then.....

a hand held basket??? PMSL - that's very sweet.