For PECS Sakes!

For those that don't know - PECS = Picture Exchange Communication System.
It's a variety of picture cards used by the nonverbal community (not just by those with autism) to help them communicate their needs and wants.

I'll be the first to admit that we are absolute sh*t for using those cards. It's not that it doesn't work for V-Man. In the beginning of his diagnosis we were vigilant in using them for every little thing.
Then we had more kids and using PECS became an obstacle because they would go missing. Or ripped up (yes even the laminated ones got ripped up once chewed on enough!) or drooled on. The list goes on but you get the idea.

After an at home visit last week with the speech therapist (we have a new one that is seeing both boys because our previous had moved)- it was obvious we are crappy parents in terms of using PECS.
I have a blog post I'll post soon about why I'm not a super mom -but I'll continue...

We have found that V-Man using objects to communicate with us just worked better for everyone (aside from teachers and therapists).
Why? Because it eliminated the middle man (cards) - so to speak. We didn't have to use the cards- he could tell us what he wanted by giving us a cup for a drink, loaf of bread for when he's hungry, guide our hands to the DVD cabinet and so on.
This way there's no lost cards, no ripping Velcro sound to distract him and it doesn't cause the V-Man extra stares in public or pique the kids interest - which would lead to lost cards.

But now we are finally putting an effort into trying to be consistent with the school and overnight care and use those PECS.

"I want _____"
No and yes in Finnish

So as you can see - his PECS folder is simply a small binder with sticky velcro on the cover to give him a sentence strip "Minä haluan (I want) ____" and options on the bottom.
We were advised by his teacher that he's actually pretty good at picking what he wants from the book - so I stuck the Yes and No on the front for easier access.

The inside contains laminated sheets - so you could use sticky tack on the photos and the pages - but thankfully he has the sticky velcro glued in!

To use it - have your child remove the photo he or she wants (or has interests in!) and give it to you.
It takes a lot of patience and eventually your child can go from just 1 photo to picking what they want - to building a sentence and eventually - a communication board where they point out what they want! :)

Seeing as the V-Man hadn't used PECS at home with us in ages - he did quite alright.  He gave me a "Why do you have MY book?!" face and after a bit - realized I do know how to use it with him and was happy to tell me what to do. :)

It's all about consistency and trying.
For those that want to make your own cards - some kids respond better to actual photos of places and people - you could do it in Microsoft Word and make a table/chart and make the cards as big as you like and copy/paste photos in there.

Or you can download a variety of apps - just search for "PECS" or "autism" or "communication" and there should be some there.

For those that understand Finnish - or are willing to wing it - there's an online free system that helps you to create your own PECS called "Papu net".  Unfortunately clicking on the "English" tab doesn't provide you with the same services - so you'll have to go here in Finnish.

For those that shop online - Etsy has a great selection of PECS creators and here's one folder I bought with a wide selection of pictures. (Non-affiliated links!)

Enjoy,

BIMU

PS I'm not a therapist (obviously!) - just wanted to share our experience and links!

A Side of Autism: Thinking Outside The Box

As you may or may not know - kids with autism can be hard to entertain!
What seems to work great for a day or two (or a minute or 5) can change in a blink of an eye!  And that's flipping frustrating for us because we have 2 other kids that need attention as well.  So does our dishes...and laundry...and the list goes on.

Anyway, as of recently, the V-Man seems borderline OBSESSED with fitting things inside something else and removing it.
Some examples?

• Taking my bus card and putting it in and taking it out of my coat pocket as we wait for the bus. (I don't find this annoying at all as his wait-time for the bus has GREATLY increased from 5 minutes to nearly 15 if need be!)
• Ripping boxes.
• Climbing non-stop for food and emptying boxes - usually containing small messy dry goods like rice, flour, oatmeal or couscous.
• Emptying the grocery bags.
• Putting things in our shoes/boots (of course we discover this when we're in a rush to leave!)
• Emptying my wallet.
• Emptying my backpack (usually on the hunt for ibuprofen because the packets are interesting or my inhaler).

I've been thinking of looking for a toy where he can remove pieces and stuff them into something (i.e. Fisher Price piggy bank) but at the same time don't want a ton of extra pieces missing or going under the sofa.

I then had the idea (and this is where I'm slightly embarrassed but whatever - you do what you have to do!) to find one of those dog-training toys/puzzles.  Yeah - I said it.  A dog-training puzzle where the dog has to stuff back birds into a tree or something like that.  I know I've seen them before but based on my quick trip to the local pet supplies store - they don't have them anymore.

But what they did have was this. It's called "Trixie": Poker Box 1 and it contains four boxes with 4 different ways to open them.  The aim for a dog - is to figure out where the treat is (there's a little hole on each lid or top) and figure out how the heck to get it out.

"Oh my frig - she went and got her kid a dog toy.  Is he a dog or is he a human child?!"

Settle down - I'm still explaining why I did this.

So my reasons for buying dog toys are:

1. Durability:  Sure - V-Man can bite and chew, seek and destroy...pull and rip - but with the strength of a dog?  Not yet.  (Still rocking the baby teeth currently!)
1. And yes, V-Man has had dog toys for his teething days...
2. Educational:  Sure he won't be necessarily sniffing where the hidden cracker or small toy or wooden ring (or whatever he likes to play with at the time) is - but he'll certainly be using his marbles to figure out:
1. How to open the containers and eventually how to close them too.
2. How to "ask" using PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) to play with this puzzle or to open a box.
3. Cause and effect.
3. Interesting:  With a toy puzzle like this - we can make it different regularly (or however often) by simply adding new things in the boxes he can discover.
4. Excellent for therapy:  V-Man gets home an hour before the other two kids do.  So with that hour a day (usually with me) - I'm going to push him as hard as he's willing (and a bit beyond as he learns what this puzzle is for) - and hope to communicate a variety of things with this one puzzle box toy.  He's currently taking speech and occupational therapy and I truly think this toy can do wonders for his finer motor skills and concentration.

Things I've used before that do (or didn't) work for us, but were budget friendly:

1. Pop bottles - filled with water and a bit of food colouring.
1. Pop bottles filled with sand or rocks so he can rattle them about.
2. Listerine bottles filled with beads or rocks or clothes pins (ANYTHING)- shockingly, he can't open the child-safety cap.
3. Wooden ring (found in craft supply store) - still uses this and flips it around his fingers.
4. Tin jars with removable lids (think small scented candles).
5. Cereal boxes - to rip up.
6. Empty envelopes - the kind bills come in.  Also for ripping up.
7. DVD cases - but he has broken so many...

BIMU REVIEW: Excellent product!! Easy to move the boxes around, lock in place and wash.

So other parents - don't be ashamed!  Don't be bothered by others' opinions!  They're not the ones who have to live, love and handle your child's attitude/mood swings/conditions day and night!

YOU DO.

Do what works for YOU and your Autistic CHAMP!  

This is a lesson I'm still overcoming myself when in public and there are meltdowns! :)

And your child doesn't have to have autism to NEED or HAVE this kind of toy!  If it's fun and within your budget -why not?

Happy playing,

BIMU

PS: When it comes to the sturdiness of dog toys and depending on your child's strength: always supervise your child when they're playing with something they can throw or lift/drop.  Be sure to have excellent home insurance on your more valuable items just in case.