bid

Sorry, no advice, just plenty of <'> <'> <'> Bid

Hi Hope you don't mind, but I'd have to disagree with Katkin about Makaton. It's true that outside the home/school members of the public probably won't know Makaton. But I think that when used with the child's carers, and other Makaton users, it offers much greater versatility, fluency and expression in communication. It's great because it's used with speech, too...and for some people (perhaps with Cerebral Palsy) they will always have difficulty physically producing speech. So I like PECS and Makaton used together. Bid

I had a reply from the TES too. Bid

Not sure about the title, though... Bid

Hi We haven't had to use PECS ourselves, but it is used where I work with young adults with Special Needs. I don't know a huge amount, but as I understand it you start by using the symbols with the objects...so when you give your son a drink you give him the PECS symbol at the same time, etc, so that gradually he starts to make the connection between the object and the symbol. Then you move onto the idea of him using the symbols to request things. I personally think Makaton signing is a brilliant aid to communication, and is the signing you would use with your son. It's used with speech, is fun to learn and ties in with the PECS symbols. You can get software called Writing With Symbols which uses the pictures and words (expensive though, made by Widget). Hope someone comes along with more info! Bid

OK...done! Bid

I never had any doubt that you would succeed! Go Super Dudette! Well done...you're really on your way now! <'> Bidx

Hi Phasmid, Welcome to the Super Dudes!! I think you'll find this site a much nicer place to be! My son is nearly 16, but he was diagnosed when he was at Primary School. Is that too long ago to be of any use? Bid

Desperate, <'> <'> <'> Bid

Just discovered that you can send a complaint to the editor of the TES website, without having to join! Go to the link above, and scroll down, then click on 'Contact Us' on the lefthand side. I've just sent a complaint! Let's make this into something big...what would happen if every Autistic family/Autist who has read this offensive prejudice made a complaint! I used my analogy with racist language and attitudes...something I don't see they can disagree with Bid

Oooh, hot news!! According to a poster on the 'Support barrie' thread, the NAS have lodged a complaint with the TES, and the discussion has been forwarded to the Minister for Disabilities!! Hurrah...the 'dinkys' fight back!! Bid Maybe this appalling thread will ultimately open some eyes and help make some changes for the better!

More good ideas, thanks! Lets hope this doesn't join all my other 'good ideas' that I suddenly remember 6 months down the line...but haven't got round to doing!! Bid

Oh Desperate <'> <'> I'm so, so sorry I hope someone like Nellie will have some good advice. Take care, and thinking of you <'> Bidx

Hi Lucas Just take care that the people on the TES site don't get to you too much! <'> Bidx

Can you imagine the outrage if there had been some slight differences on this TES thread...? What if it had been 'black' instead of 'disabled/autistic', and 'ni**er' instead of 'dinky'?? Would some of the contributors have still said it was 'just' their legitimate personal opinion and 'just' a word?? I think not!! Bid I wanted to post this on the TES site, but was put off by the fact that to register you seem to have to give loads of personal details Well done to the Superdudes who did post, cunningly disguised!

How awful! Poor you <'> Bid <'>

ooohh, that's a good idea Flutter! Hadn't thought of that, although wouldn't it be just fruit and soya milk? What could I add to bulk up on the calories? Thanks again, I'll have a think about that one! Bid

Just another thought... Certainly one of the posters on this thread used a horrible term to describe children with Special Needs, and then asserted that it was widely used by professionals amongst themselves. Well, I've only worked in a residential setting with young adults with Special Needs for 6 months...but I have never heard any member of staff speak in that way about any of the students or adult clients. Obviously this is only one unit, but I did want to reassure people that there are many very caring professionals out there who would never dream of speaking like this! Bid <'>

Slight digression, but it still involves tolerance and ASBOs!! We have the dubious pleasure of backing onto the 'roughest' road in town Only last week two brothers from this estate were both given ASBOs! Such interesting things as cars being set alight happen at the (rougher!) end of our road But...when we moved in nearly 3 years ago, I was really worried because my son was under huge amounts of stress and as a result had started to do a lot of verbal tics, his favourite being a sort of 'whale song'! My concerns came to a head one evening when I was in the garden. I could hear his 'whale song' echoing out of his bedroom window...only to be 'answered' by the lad two doors down (Special Needs too)!! The next day I desperately apologised to various neighbours (quite a scary lot, too ). The reply from them all? 'Don't worry, we're all a bit odd round here!' So now I grit my teeth at the gangs of 'hoodies' who lurk around outside at all hours...although I have to admit the burning car did get me down! Bid

Sigh...probably! Bid

That's a really useful point about the ambiguity of language, Lucas! The whole question of explaining 'absolute morality' is a tricky one, though... Bid Looks like we're off on another of our mind-stretching threads...where's Baddad?!

Cheers Sel! Complan was the name I couldn't remember! I'l go and read the ingredients label to check for 'nasties'!! Do you feel your son is basically healthy although he's very light? Thanks again, Bid

Well explained, Simon! I also think we do our Autistic children a dis-service if we don't challenge unacceptable behaviour...ultimately they would end up with less independence. Bid

Hi again Lucas I can't go into details because it wouldn't be fair, but my son has done things to his sibs which were basically life-threatening Now, while I understood that he behaved like this because he was in acute distress because of his experiences at mainstream school, I also had a responsibility to my other children to make sure he understood that this was completely unacceptable behaviour. Bid

Thanks Simon I just wondered if anyone had tried anything like this...I know there are quite a few reluctant eaters on the forum! Bid