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Post by Cathy on Jul 19, 2004 20:13:04 GMT -5
Wondering if I can get some input on the PECS (or similar) systems. Katies summer therapist thinks she should get it... But her regular ST does not...
sighhhh
what to do? what to do?
any input is greatly appreciated... good bad or indifferent...
THank you!
Cathy
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Post by christie on Jul 19, 2004 20:48:47 GMT -5
CATHY, Hmmm just wondering Why is your regular ST NOT for the PECS?? Did she say?? Is she reccomending some other type program??
Just wondering here as ST's can be such a breed of their own sometimes, LOLOL
CC
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Post by Cathy on Jul 19, 2004 22:10:06 GMT -5
hmmm I think you hit the nail on the head....
She believes that by using the PECS, the children does not learn to make the sounds....
Another example...take it for what it is worth:
I was telling her how I was doing the ABC's and counting with Katie, and that Katie can say all the letters (sometimes they are not to clear, but she anticpates the next letter and is always right) And she can count to ten, the ST yelled at me, and said... we are not working on those sounds... I said I know... but I am doing it for her cognitive ability, not so much her speech...
I continue on my own path, and let me tell you, Katie is a pretty smart cookie!
As for the PECs my thinking was, if she could communicate her needs and wants, she would not get so frustrated. She would be able to do more for herself. I feel (as I did with the sign language) that once katie learns the word or phrase, I would remove those symbols or pictures. I was hoping to use it more for supplemental communication... helping her to feel that she can do things on her own...or ask for something and get it!
Am I crazy?
Thanks, Cathy
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Post by steffipoo on Jul 20, 2004 1:50:39 GMT -5
no Cathy you are NOT CRAZY!!!! Lemme tell you Olivia has FABULOUS speech and we use whatever tools we can to keep her ahead of the game. For example when she was a baby we did the signs then dropped em as she said the word and signed it. NOW we are finding that Olivia is learning to read using signs. We teach her the sign for the sentence as well as show it to her and also use pictures. She has responded wonderfully since we added the signs to learn with the sentence. I am for whatever helps if it doesn't then you can toss it but Liv likes to learn in order and I make my own picture boards for her and she loves em .It was amazing what happened to livs reading skills when we added the signed sentence.AND I thought she would never use sign again. NEVER SAY NEVER
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Post by momofrussell on Jul 20, 2004 11:39:23 GMT -5
First off, get a new ST LOL!!! If an ST yelled at me and told me "We are NOT working on those sounds", I'd have to put my boot up her bum! That's UBSURD that you can't treat Katie like any child in your house. Just because our kids have DS doesn't mean they can ONLY learn certain sounds at a time... GIVE ME A BREAK!
**whew*** ok, now, let me step OFF my soapbox..LOL
I have mixed feelings about the question... I DO agree, and Steff's daughter, Olivia is a great example on how other forms of communication CAN benefit a great deal! And i agree that kids usually drop the other function, i.e. PECS, signing once the word is used. But I also can see where the ST is coming from in trying to facilitate what Katie already knows and too keep going with that.
BUT... as parents (and I LIVE this speech stuff , or lack of it daily) we want our kids to communicate ANY way they can and NOT get frusterated while doing it. And then the other side of me, that looks at toddlers in general, says that getting frusterated is part of what happens at that age....
So...after rambling and giving my two cents...IF you REALLY want Katie to be able to communicate comfortably until speech comes along a bit bettter, I'd maybe try a few photo type PECS at home. Although the traditional PEC system is a cartoon, drawn type of picture, I believe that simple PHOTOS do best.. things around your house. You, Daddy, items she plays with, apple, banana, ect... I have some basic pics if you want me to email you some or mail them??? They are JUST the item on a white background so no distractions (I'll even throw in a pic of Kevin for Katie LOL) Then you can give it a try and see how Katie responds before engaging in a full blown PECS program while her speech is fostering... see what happens...
And put a NOOSE around that ST for me , will ya! LOL
A.
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Post by YoshsMom on Jul 20, 2004 18:49:16 GMT -5
Sounds like this ST is pretty rigid. My philosophy as both teacher and mom has always been do whatever works. PECS and sign usually lead to speech, not replace it. And giving our kids a way to communicate reduces frustration.
I also don't like hearing that the ST yelled at you. She should be working with you, not telling you what to do.
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Post by Alice on Jul 20, 2004 19:46:59 GMT -5
BTW, what is it PECS? Cathy, you are not crazy at all, instead you are wonderful carrying mother. She herself (the therapist)is crazy, if she can yield at you. Unbelievable. I would yield back! Our summer therapist was crazy too, she wore two different shoes on the work. I will not bother you by telling how she did sessions, but there were no any results at all just waste of our money and my time. Oh, well... Cathy, do what ever you believe is better for Katie.
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Post by Cathy on Jul 20, 2004 22:23:03 GMT -5
Sorry Alice...PECS is Picture Exchange Communication Systems. It is an augmentative speech device thatused pictures to help a child communicate.
If katie wants a cookie...shewouldgotothe board and pullthe "cookie" picture ...but as weallknow..COOKIE is a bad example for Katie because that is her favorite word to say (although she will ONLY eat OREOS).
ROFL..thanks for the ideas and suggestions... we are still weighing the situation. A-- I am sure that Katie would love pictures of Kevin... ROFL... and maybe I should send him someof us..sohe will know.. IT WAS NOT US ON THE NEWS that day..still laughing about that.
Hugs
Cathy
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Post by christie on Jul 21, 2004 0:09:50 GMT -5
CATHY, YIKES girl ST's I know have minds of their own but Man oh Man yours is a real winner I have to say I have never ever heard of any ST being annoyed that a parent was working with a child weather they were covering those sounds or not I know girl you live in a remote area and its not easy probably to just dump this ST but boy girl if there is any way I say do it. I agree with A. ~ totally on this one. My suggestion is girl, since the ST is only a little part of Katie's day, bypass her and talk to her teach and see what she says on the PECS as she would be the one dealing with it much more during the day then the silly ST Best of Luck with what ever you decide CC
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Post by Claire on Jul 24, 2004 21:21:15 GMT -5
All I can say is that Adam now 6 had no communication skills at all verbally until we introduced the PECS at 4. He can now say complete sentences of 4 words. It really worked good for him at school as the other kids also learned it and could understand him.
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