New - Just wanted to say 'Hello'

Hey TJ,

Cheers for your detailed reply. I will ask our speech therapist and pre-school child team who we are just getting to know about the pictures they might use to. My son is non-verbal and is always on the move so he hasn't the concentration/motivation to listen or mimic others. He is so frustrated. Like your son he is very visual. I really appreciate the advice and will check out that website to. In the meantime - great idea - we will start taking photos of our regular things. Such a simple but effective idea, thanks

Have a good weekend and thanks again

Catherine

Hi Catherine

I started off by taking photos of a few things such as favourite toys, his drinking cup, a plate of sandwiches, my car, the bath etc then laminated them. He just had them in a little box at first and I had to hide his drink as he always had it to hand to try and encourage him to give me the card when he wanted it. He has now moved on to the more generic pictures which are colour but they are the ones the schools mainly use (not the Makaton black and white ones), I think the company is called Widget and they have a website. They are also laminated and I was given a small ring binder with laminated sheets with velcro on so I just stick them on here depending what we are doing that day. I try to remember to take it out with me but I dont always!! I have been lucky as have had excellent support from child health team, especially Early Years who deal with the preschool age. The Speech people actually printed and laminated my cards for me as they came round and we discussed what ones would be most useful (we now have ones like playground, soft play, go outside etc). I would ask your speech therapist (if he is at that point) if they can do this for you as well as I am sure they should do this. One of my friends lives in the same area but she hasnt ever been offered them but I suppose it does depend on the individual as my son never got on with Makaton as he doesnt mimic and found it hard to form signs with his hands.  I think the photos are a good way to start and then gradually move on. My son is also very visually stimulated so it seemed the best approach although it has taken a very long time to get going on them. I would also check out Early Years support as they have been great.

Hi Tandemum, ColinCat & TJ,

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Tandemum I really appreciate you comment "If someone had told me all the things he would be doing when he was diagnosed at 3 years old I would have thought they were insane" as I left the Consultant's office and cried as I felt like they had written my two and half year old wee boy off for life. This gives me real hope - thank you

TJ - did you make these picture cards up yourself or do NAS or a place on the internet sell them? They sound really helpful as my son loves looking at patterns / bright colours so cards might just interest him.

Cheers for the hearty welcome and have a good weekend everyone 

Catherine

Hi Catherine, you are not alone! My son was diagnosed last year and he is only just over 3 and half now.  He doesnt say any words or vowels and shows no sign at the moment although I have been told he is still young. I have at last got round to picture exchange cards just for basics like drink, lunch, go home and actually took them out to soft play this week and he used them! He even picked "mummys car" when he wanted to go home so feel a lot more positive on that side now. They do get frustrated as he sometimes just cries and screams for what I can see is no reason but it must be something. We have had a rocky few weeks recently but things seem to be getting a bit more bearable for the time being. I think if you get an early diagnosis you have a better start. Also I think he is about a year behind regarding tantrums so hoping these meltdowns will pass the more we can communicate with each other.  Good luck with everything

Hello Catherine76

Welcome to the forum.  I hope that you will find lots of information and support here.  The forum is a great place to come for advice and support and also to let off steam or to celebrate a fantastic achievement!

I hope that you will enjoy reading and posting on the forum.

Take care

ColinCat 

Hi Catherine,

Just wanted to say hello.  Your description of your son reminded me of my eldest when he was small.  It's so hard when they can't tell you anything. 

My eldest didn't speak until he was 4 years old and now we joke that we don't know if it's his eyes or mouth that open first.  If someone had told me all the things he would be doing when he was diagnosed at 3 years old I would have thought they were insane.  I suppose what I am trying to say is you don't know what the future holds so encouraging your son to enjoy life sounds a wonderful idea.  I hope you don't mind but I am going to try it with my sons.

Take care.