New - Just wanted to say 'Hello'

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 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.