Communication and Speech - Opinions Please!

[Jodi]

Happy Friday!! ;D

Ryan is now 7, and his speech is still so very delayed, and very unintelligible. So, again I am wondering - maybe some kind of device would be good to try.

We had an evaluation a couple of years ago - but frankly, the lady who did the eval was pretty whacked and I just gave up on the idea - hoping using Total Communication (our version - gestures, signs, verbal responses) would lead to increased verbal language. But it's been SO SO SLOW in terms of progress.

I've seen posts where people have listed info about communication devices - and I'm being lazy here asking for you guys to post it again for me - plus any other advice/suggestions you might have.

There isn't a day that goes by that Ryan tries his best to tell me something - but it just isn't understandable. I met with his teacher last night, who also said that Ryan tries and tries, but they just can't understand him (and may I just say - that really STINKS!!!).

Thanks!!

Jodi

[momofrussell]

Ok... I might be digressing in my question and we've covered this before.. but have you tried your own picture PECS on a board at home he could grab and give ya , type of thing? Is he able to do the "show me" type of prompting? That might be something to add on.. a "show mommy" type of thing?

Also... there are plenty of aug comm devices, from 1 switch on up that might help? The ones with pics you would use with them? We (teacher actually) just started using ONE switch at school for this one song. She was telling me yesterday that when it comes to Russell's name and turn in this one song, she signs and tells him to stand up and he hits the switch ONE TIME ONLY for the response and then sits down! I thought that was VERY cool! She showed me a 2 switch with pics you can put what you want and will work on that with him. Has the school ever worked on some aug comm device with Ryan?

Maybe your district and/or local chidren's hosp can do a speech/comm eval to see what types of aug comm devices might work? That is how we did it for Russell. Then if he qualifies they work with the district to make sure they are providing what Russell needs.

Good luck.. I am really the LAST person to ask on speech and comm! LOL

Have you ever looked into CUED SPEECH? If you want info.. let me know. I hear it can work WONDERS!

A.

[Jessie]

Hi Jodi,

As a topic near and dear to my heart, I can tell you what we are going through with Jason right now. We have gone to a Children's clinic twice over the last couple of weeks, and it makes a TON of difference, in my opinion, to go to someone who is an expert in the field. I know it sounds really obvious to seek an expert's opinion, but we were naiive and relied on the school ST for too long.

Anyway, the ST at the clinic is big on using flash cards and cueing. Jason is a VERY visual learner, so the cueing and gesturing seems to work well for him. I have a video of his two sessions if you would be interested in seeing how she was working with Jason. As I'm sure you already know, you want to find whatever is going to work for Ryan NOW!

The biggest problem that we are facing with Jason right now is that he has so many ingrained behaviors and habits that have allowed him to get through life for 12 years without being able to communicate effectively. We not only have a lot of new training for him, but he needs to be "untrained" in coping mechanisms he has in place to compensate for not speaking clearly.

The PEC's system is a good system and Jason has this mastered, but it has not done anything for his speech to become more intelligible.

Anyway, PM me if you are interested in seeing the video.

Jessie