weelewy Report post Posted May 10, 2006 hi there, im new to this, so just a short message to say hi and a bit about us, i have 2 lovely boys, ryan is 1 and lewis is 3, lewis was diagnosed with asd in december so i am new to this and am looking for any suppot and as much information as i can get, Lewis has very little speech and can only understand some things you say to him, he has all the pecs equip, but doesnt seem that interested any help or advice would be very much appreciated luv kirst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jb1964 Report post Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Weelewy, I'm pretty new to this too - can't offer any advice on PECS as my daughter was diagnosed AS at the end of last year (she's 12yrs). Someone will come along soon with some great advice for you - this forum has been fantastic for me - to know you're not alone and loads of helpful friendly people with vast experience and advice. Take care, Jb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noogsy Report post Posted May 10, 2006 hi kirsty there is tons and tons of information on this site..all very good but remember that some is relevant to england but not scotland..this is a very helpfull friendly site you can come here and ask for advice any time and people will help you...love noogsy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lizzie Report post Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Kirst, Im pretty new here myself, I have found this forum very helpful in many ways, new members are all made to feel welcome, Im sure you will get all the advice and support you need. Lizzie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Kirst, Welcome to the forum and hope you find it as helpful as I have Not long since I joined and I've found it so supportive Debs x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Kirst, Welcome to the forum Glad you have found us. Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
board Report post Posted May 10, 2006 just wanted to say hello i have a daughter dx aspergers on the 12 of last month so new to all this but the nice people on here are a god send couldent be with out them all the best to you and your family jill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brook Report post Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Kirst, Welcome <'> A great place to share advice, laughs and tears. Brook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hallyscomet Report post Posted May 10, 2006 <'> <'> Welcome Kirst <'> <'> You have found a great place for support Hailey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mel Report post Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Kirst <'> welcome to the forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarerQuie Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Welcome to the forum.Look forward to getting to know you.xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jayjay Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Hi and welcome to the forum Kirst jayne xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Hello mate! We're in a not dissimilar position. The Boy was 4 in January and was dx last Sept. We found that he paid little attention to the PECS initially, but do persevere - if he's anything like The Boy, he will get the message! The only PECS that initially worked for us was the "bed" one. He knew what "Bed" meant, but didn't react when we said it. When we showed him the "bed" card for the first time, whilst saying it too, he went upstairs and climbed into bed! It was if he though "oh, you want me to GO to bed". Since then he's gone from strength to strength & it's helping his language too - he's still pretty much non verbal but he does have a few bits of language. The thing is tho, with PECS, we're a bit less worried now about verbal communication because he's started to use PECS a little to communicate with us. That just makes it so much easier all round, because he didn't communicate at all before. We've also taken photos of common things we want him to do or that he wants, these seem to work better than the PECS because he recognises our bath, his bed, his cup, cadbury chocolate rolls! We still use the PECS too though, because they work anywhere e.g. it would be no good showing him a picture of HIS bed on holiday cos he would be confused when it was a different bed! Anyway, welcome to this site. It's a marvellous place for info and support. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supersec Report post Posted May 11, 2006 hello and welcome! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elun1 Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Hi I'm pretty new to forum too. I have 2 boys like you aged 5 and 6. Youngest has autism, SLD and loads of other bits thrown in for good measure! ds2 used PECS for quite a long time. He was completely non verbal for ages but after initial resistance really took to PECS. It'd probably be a big help to you if you could go on the 2 day PECS course. A consultancy called pyramid travel all around Britain. If you check out their website details of courses are usually on there. Along with this I used a bookn called 'More than Words' which is based on a Hanen program which helps develop communication and interaction with your little one. I found this a very helpful book. National Autistic Website is also an absolute godsend packed full of information. These are all good starting points but a word of caution!! It's a long hard slog taking it all in so try and take it a bit at a time. It just completely does your head in otherwise! Take care Elun xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MumTee Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Hello and welcome <'> My little 'un (nearly 3) uses PECS to exchange for food and drink and it made a huge difference to him to have the power to ask for what he wants. I had to get a digital camera and start off using pictures of things he REALLY wanted (like chocbuttons!) to get the initial exchanges going, but its been worth its weight in gold just for that - do PM if you want a bit of moral support - am no expert, but sometimes you just want to run your ideas past someone <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaisyProudfoot Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Hi Kirst and a big welcome You'll find loads of helpful advice here and make loads of friends here. We'll cheer you when you're up and send you cyber hugs <'> when you're down and I think we've all had our fair share of those in our time. Welcome to this wonderful world Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gilbo Report post Posted May 11, 2006 (edited) You'll find loads of helpful advice here and make loads of friends here. We'll cheer you when you're up and send you cyber hugs <'> That is so very creepy. Edited May 11, 2006 by Gilbo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Sigh Thank you, Gilbo! Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaisyProudfoot Report post Posted May 11, 2006 It's not creepy Gilbo it's lovely - believe you me those cyber hugs have got me through some pretty rough times - I don't know what I would have done without our friends here! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
melly Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Hi My son is 3 1/2 and hjaving a whale of a time with pecs. It was such a break thro when he first used it to ask for something (a drink I think it was). The whole system of how to introduce pecs is q long and involved, I am lucky I have the support from the trained staff at his nursery who are teaching me it step by step. The course sounds like a good I dea or there is a book (search for pecs on amazon). If you want to get on with teaching him I'll tell you the first step that we did (then if you want you are welcome to pm me for more info etc, but i'm no expert!) You have to start with somethiong that is particulary motivating for the child, something that they cant do them selves or some thing that you can control. If it is a toy, keep it just for this use for a while. With my boy, it was food, namely raisins. Raisins or grapes work really well as they get eaten quickly so the child has to come back and ask for more. I'll explain it with the raisins, he sits on one side of the table, you facing him and an extra adult behind him. On the table have a picture (real or pecs one - can send you a pecs one if you need it) of the raisins, ours is the pecs piccy which shows a little raisnin box and some raisins around it. You hold a pot with 5 / 6 raisins in, saying 'mmmmm' or 'nice raisins' some thing to get their attention. Eat one maybe! When the kiddy shows that they want the raisins, reaching out their hand or sim, the etra adult guides kiddies hand onto the picture. They may pick it up or may need extra adult to place it in their hand. You then put out your hand and coax them to give you the picture 'want raisins', smiles reach over towards them etc. Esxtra adult can guide the picture into your hand. You immediately say 'raisin' and 'good boy' etc and give the child ONE raisin. Picture goes back on the table in front of them and you go again. You can use raisins, grapes, bits of biscuit (quater at a time maybe) a few crisps. Or with toys a wind up thing (as long as it doesn't last more than a few seconds), some thing that lights up or plays a tune. Or bubbles, where you only blow more when they give you the picture. Its whatever motivates your child. The extra adult is not supposed to say n e thing whilst the are helping. The idea being that they are involved less and less as time goes by until the child can do it by themselves. We tried to do this 3 or 4 times a week, and my boy took only a few weeks before he could do this stage himself. Having written it all down it sounds a bit confusing, i hope it makes sense. Its worth a try. Good luck, let me know how it goes Mel Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eva Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Hi, I'm new here too, I only joined up the other day. My son is 5 and has AS. This is a great forum! Eva Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forbsay Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Hi My wee boy is now nearly 6 ( his birthday is this weekend). He was diagnosed when he was 2.5 years old. He never showed any interested in pecs intially. Just persevere with it and you will see the rewards. It took my son a wee while - he just need to do it in his own time. Take care Forbsay x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites