Moondog please help!

[mrz]

Hi I'm a teacher and found out yesterday that a child starting on Monday in nursery needs a Communication Book (my first experience of a child with this need) SALT have sent a page of pictures which I don't see as particularly relevant to nursery so I've just been on line and ordered a PECs pack (don't tell my OH I'm spending my own money again!) then I did a search and discovered you seem to know more about it any advice? please!!

Mrz

is the pecs the childs only form of communication?gg

And if you can get school to lay out for it I would recomend the pecs courses.I just done it and was like ok thats how its meant to be done rather than the bumbling was doing

And sure moondog be around

oh and there is a forum on the pecs site you can use to ask questions to its free registration to join

Thanks Phoenix

From what I've been told the child has no form of communication at the moment other than gesture. The SALT target is to introduce a communication book (so don't think he's used one in the past)and to work on single sound utterances. His teacher has done a home visit and was very concerned about his lack of language (communication) but the school was told there isn't a "real problem" then the SALT report arrived on my desk yesterday. So I'm frantically trying to get somethings together quickly for the nursery staff before Monday.

I'll have a look at the PECs forum thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I just jumped into the shop part.

I'm not a professional (just an interested amateur!) as my DS used a communication book due to severe language delay, he was verbal though when we used it...

at how you have been dropped in it, a shame that SALT haven't even provided you with the Communication Book, let alone already introduced one already with the child. I would also use some photos as well as PECs symbols in case the child can't generalise yet. Does the child have a receptive language delay too?

Hi MRZ.
Gosh you sound like a woderfully conscientious teacher!

Some points:

-Don't spend your own money.It's not right or appropriate
-Don't buy or attempt anything to do with PECS without having gone on 2 day basic course.It's impossible to do it properly otherwise
-Child sounds as if he will either have a communication book (ie book of symbols/pictures he can point to to express needs/wants) or a communication passport which will detail his background info/likes/dislikes/communication needs and so on which will be designed to be read by those working closely with him.

If I were you,I would wait for guidance from SALT.Impossible to prepare without meeting SALT or him. He sounds very lucky to have someone as thoguhtful and energetic as you.

Was about to saw exactly what moondog said.

Thanks for that.

I'm afraid the report and single sheet of pictures seems to be his "communication book" which SALT seem to want us to produce and introduce and there is no date for them to come into school to work with me or his teacher or indeed with the child. I'm very conscious this little boy is arriving tomorrow and we were assured he didn't need support when we raised concerns about his lack of speech. It looks like I will be phoning SALT in the morning ...

what about calling the parents see if there come in for a emergancy meeting?Im suprised they not been in contact already

Our nursery teacher did a home visit which is why we first raised concerns and were told he wouldn't need support. Mum isn't very sure what the professionals involved are doing and thinks (in her words ) "he'll be OK once he starts nursery".

hmm thats a hard one we already had ep and the earlyyears team involed before ds went could you give them a call in the morning guessing if hes non verbal he is likely to need extra support in the classrom and they can provide funding

I emailed our EP yesterday to let her know about the SALT report and recommendations and can phone her on Monday.

well the fact your on the ball will help him a lot and more so the fact that you are willing to put yourself out to ask and to learn will be big advantage for him

Mrz, lovely to read about a teacher who is so determined to help every child, even if it's going to be a lot more challenging....and prepared to spend her own money! that really is above and beyond.

I find that now that my son's communication difficulties have moved beyond NOUNs, it is harder to get the right picture. How do you express things such as "I want to sit near the door" and "I need more time"..

I'm told boardmaker is the best, is that what you've bought? It costs 50 euro and I've not forked out for it for my OWN son!! so I really take off my hat to you!

Thanks for the lovely compliments. I know how far the SEN budget stretches so it's quicker and easier to buy myself.
I've met the little boy today, he's lovely but a bit lost wanted lots of cuddles and to be with adults.
No communication book and mum hasn't heard of them. The SALT report gives instructions how to make one but not how to use it once made
Our plan is to start with a couple of words I want (toilet & drink) to begin with do you think that sounds ok?

no chance that you can get early years to send one of you on the pecs courses I just done one and realised just how wrong I was doing it

If I can find a course (locally) the head will be happy for me to go. At the moment I'm feeling really annoyed with SALT for just dropping this on us at the last moment so we weren't prepared for his first day!

where abouts are you mrz and yes I would be as well mind lol we been on first name terms if been my dc

But im suprised at the lack of support by the professionals ,

I'm in Durham
As a parent of a SEN child and as a teacher I get frustrated by professionals lol