hi i have a son aged 2 1/2 with ASD he was diagnosed about a year ago. He had speech therapy for about 6 months then they signed him off although he is still completely nonn-verbal and has no means of communication. i live in the uk. Has anyone else ever had this happen and does anyone know of any help or form of communicatuon i could use i've tried pecs but he just won't do it. thanks
hi,
I have just started looking myself for a toddler we have adopted with probable autism. We are looking at makaton. Also suggested to me was
http://www.BabyBumbleBee.com and tinytalk who have baby signing classes.
I hope you find something which suits him.
ditzy.
Hi
I have used Makaton with children who have communication problems and delays. Its very easy to do and works really well. I worked with children from 2 - 5 and really saw the benefits. My children used to love me coming home and teaching them. When you do use a Makaton sign, always say the word too, so this will give them sound recognition.
I know there are cards with the Makaton signs on them, but I am not sure where you can get them from.
Take care
Jane
thanks yea i have tried the baby bumble bee and they didn't seem to interest him but i will definately look into makaton thanks
HI i'm new to this but i may have a bit of advice for you, my son is 6 and non-verbal - we're in a similar situation ( read petition pm! ) theres a charity called cerebra go to -
http://www.cerebra.org uk - they will give you funds to pay for about 5-6 sessions of private speech therapy - i think this also includes an assessment of your child! we are now at the stage that we are trying to get the speech therapy hours my son will need put into his statement so if the NHS can't provide it then the LEA have a legal obligation too ( especially if hours are allicated! )- with your son being only 2 1/2 i'm not sure how this will work? Definatly give makaton a go my son has picked this up really well, we've only been doing it a week!
PECs really helped my son at 2 1/2 try using symbols for things that really motivate him i.e bubbles and sweets!! I hope this is of some help! I would also go to your local MP - your son really needs this support!! I can't believe they've taken it from you!
HI i'm new to this but i may have a bit of advice for you, my son is 6 and non-verbal - we're in a similar situation ( read petition pm! ) theres a charity called cerebra go to -
http://www.cerebra.org.uk - they will give you funds to pay for about 5-6 sessions of private speech therapy - i think this also includes an assessment of your child! we are now at the stage that we are trying to get the speech therapy hours my son will need put into his statement so if the NHS can't provide it then the LEA have a legal obligation too ( especially if hours are allicated! )- with your son being only 2 1/2 i'm not sure how this will work? Definatly give makaton a go my son has picked this up really well, we've only been doing it a week!
PECs really helped my son at 2 1/2 try using symbols for things that really motivate him i.e bubbles and sweets!! I hope this is of some help! I would also go to your local MP - your son really needs this support!! I can't believe they've taken it from you!
Please ignore my first reply the link is wrong sorry!
At age 2 years I was none verbal back in 1979! My mum was a midwife by trade and recognised that my not speaking was not 'normal' as her brother did not speak until 5 years old. The GP recommended she put me in nursery and I started to speak soon after. My mum was a stay at home mum and had no reason to put me in nursery. My sister had the same problems but with severe challenging behaviour and it was hard as she was unable to mix in nursery and was expelled! My mum found a good nursery, she had speech therapy and a gluten-cassin free diet, one to one teaching in primary school. Neither of us were diagnosed.
I work with a non-verbal autistic client and he has a lot of understanding. We talk to him literally explaining everything we do, involve him in as much as we can. I talk to him in context he often says walk when he is in the bath, I explain each and everything I am doing use a lot of verbal prompts. Makaton would be very good but make sure your signs a clear and simple always use speach. Think hard about what signs you are teaching. For example it would be a waste of time to teach 'please' and 'thankyou' because you want to teach basic communication so that your child can communicate pain, hunger etc.
Find a good makaton / sign along course or teach your self basic signs it not hard a lot of them are based on gestures we use on an everyday basis for example you use your hand like a cup to sign drink. Toilet is a very good sign to teach too. I am always learning new signs I love it, I learnt naughty and that there are two types of sign for naughty one tap with right hand on left hand with facial gestures means a bad naughty two is a kind of jokey naughty. I work with a deaf non vocal adult as I am not fluent in BSL I communicate in all kind of ways, talking to her, pointing, miming, drawing pictures. I find it hard to understand her signs because she does not make clear signs and I have trouble reading body language. I do ask her to slow down and to look at me, as she does not always give eye contact. That there in lies the possible limitations that why keep it basic and pictures signs are a very good idea. You can computer software for rebus symbols it called widget and you can print of your own and use them around the house.