Communicating with your child who doesn't use words to talk

Written by Lisa Simmons


Continued from page 1

#2 - Ideas & Feelings

7. Augmentative Communication Boards - These devices come in an amazing array of shapes & sizes (& prices) and can really allow your child to communicate an awesome variety of messages both practical & more abstract. If you feel like your child is ready for this level of device (a good clue is when they frequently seem to have things to say that they just can't communicate effectively) then there are several things you need to do: „X Find a good speech language pathologist to assist you. „X Have your SLP do a full assessment to determine what type of messages your child needs or wants to send & what types of devices they can operate or learn to operate independently. „X Work with your SLP to narrow downrepparttar number of possible devices to just 2 or 3. If possible try to borrowrepparttar 111658 devices for an in home trial period from a state technology lending library orrepparttar 111659 actual company that sellsrepparttar 111660 device. „X Try to anticipate all of your technology needs up front. Who will train your child to userepparttar 111661 device? Who will programrepparttar 111662 device, both now & as your child's needs change? Who will train your family & other support people in how to userepparttar 111663 device? Who will repairrepparttar 111664 device if it breaks down? Will you need help to fundrepparttar 111665 device? If so, what do you need to do now to obtainrepparttar 111666 funding ? This sounds like a lot of effort & it can be. But if your child truly can utilize a communication device to "find their voice" everything you do will be worth it.

8. Teach typing - This may seem like an old fashioned suggestion, but give it some thought. Whether you use an actual typewriter or teach them to type on a computer keyboard you give them 1 tremendous advantage -- free thought. Your child will be able to say virtually anything (& they probably will!). This approach does not rely on anyone else to select pictures or program phrases. It's all their own creation. One advantage of going withrepparttar 111667 computer keyboard -- there is software available that can anticipate frequently used phrases. This saves valuable keystrokes for slow typists that may have lots to say!

9. Comment Cards - A decided more low key approach is comment cards. These are simply index cards with different comments typed on them in a large size. The cards can be color coded to help kids selectrepparttar 111668 one they one quickly & easily. So,repparttar 111669 red card says "I need a break" &repparttar 111670 blue card says "I want a turn", etc. Comment cards work well for kids who see a lot of different people inrepparttar 111671 course of their day. Even folks they don't know too well will understand a printed message. Communication isn't so secure if they are relying on subtle body movements.

10. Switch activated signals - These signals can be operated a variety of switches that can be geared to virtually any controlled body movement. Signals usually consist of lights, sounds, or vibrations & work well if your child attends group activities where they need to communicate withrepparttar 111672 group leader. Common messages might be, "I'm done" or "I need help with this". Although these tips may seem simple we feel that most communication systems will actually use a combination of approaches. What works at school, may not always be right for home & vice versa. The most important things to shoot for when developing a communication system: „X Does your child understandrepparttar 111673 system & can they use it independently. „X Is your family & other people your child sees regularly comfortable enough withrepparttar 111674 system to use it every day. „X Isrepparttar 111675 system reliable & useful enough that it is working & in use more than it is broken or stuffed in a closet.

Hopefully some of these ideas will allow you to openrepparttar 111676 wonderful world of communication to your child! Happy chatting!

Copyright 2001, Lisa Simmons

Lisa is the director of the Ideal Lives Project, providing practical support for special needs families & professionals. Visit on-line at http://www.ideallives.com or subscribe to her free newsletter at mailto:ideallives-subscribe@topica.com


All My Love And Devotion: A True Story

Written by Ellen M. DuBois


Continued from page 1

1964: To My Lovely Wife On Valentine's Day "No one else inrepparttar world- Could ever even start- To fillrepparttar 111657 special place you do- Down deep within my heart, And I hope you will know somehow-What I too seldom say -- That I love you more and more- With every passing day." Signed: Torepparttar 111658 Most! The nicest Valentine inrepparttar 111659 world - All my Love and Devotion. Hubby

1965: To My Lovely Wife On Our Anniversary To My Wonderful WIFE On Our Anniversary "1932-1965" "With many loving greetings Onrepparttar 111660 one day ofrepparttar 111661 year- That will always be our very own - Our anniversary, Dear!" Signed: Seventeen to makerepparttar 111662 Golden- I know it can be done, withrepparttar 111663 Loveliest girl inrepparttar 111664 world- Love and Devotion - Hubby A million XXXXXX

1968: To My Wife on Christmas Day A Christmas Message for my Wife, With all my Love "What do I wish for you,repparttar 111665 one Who meansrepparttar 111666 most to me? I wish you a day that's as happy As a Christmas Day can be -- I hope thatrepparttar 111667 year that's coming Is enjoyable fromrepparttar 111668 start- And I'll tell you again that I love you - You'll always be first in my heart." Signed: With all my Love and Devotion- Wishing you a Lovely Merry Christmas. XXXX XXXX ____ XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX _______ XXXXXXX Hubby

1969: For My Loving Wife On Valentine's Day For My Wife With All My Love "I have a year-round Valentine - She's thoughtful and she's sweet- Her love and understanding ways - Have made my life complete. She'srepparttar 111669 reason for my happiness- The great joy of my life - I have a year-round Valentine...The girl who is my Wife." Signed: Happy Valentine With all my Love and Devotion Hubby XXXXXX XXXXX ____________ XXXXXXX

1969: To My Lovely Wife, Mother and Grandmother Oh Mother's Day To My Darling Wife With Love On Mother's Day "First take a dash of golden sunshine, Then some bright blue skies, A pinch of springtime's softest breeze, And add some butterflies. Some daffodils, some crocus, too-- The first ones to appear-- A bluebird singing happy songs For everyone to hear, A dogwood on a mossy bank, Trees freshly decked in green-- Blend them all together for A lovely springtime scene. To; make this season perfect, Add an extra special touch-- And that's a darling wife like you, Who's loved so very much!" Signed: With all My Love and Devotion- The card tellsrepparttar 111670 rest- A million Kisses Hubby

1971:(They had a Dachshund, like I do now, and that explains this card). Happy Valentine's Day Pop- Your Favorite Hound Dog, Rusty "I may be nosey, but gee whiz--If you're not my Valentine-- WHO IS???" Signed: Hi Pop. You are my favorite Valentine. Rusty, your favorite Hound Dog.

1971: To My Husband on Valentine's Day From Wifey To My Wonderful Husband "Please overlookrepparttar 111671 undarned socks, The toast I sometimes burn, The "new leaves" that I talk about, But seldom ever turn, Please overlook my temper, Andrepparttar 111672 foolish things I do, But don't you dare overlook Just how much I LOVE YOU. Signed: And I mean it! Hon-- Happy Valentine's Day, Loads of Love, Wifey XXXXX

1974: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY WIFE "AT CHRISTMAS TIME AND ALL THE TIME... There's a special place within my heart, That you alone can fill- Because I love you very much- and because I always will! Merry Christmas torepparttar 111673 woman who makes my life complete!" Signed: Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year With All my Love and Devotion A Million Hugs + Kisses Hubby

THE LAST CARD.

This isrepparttar 111674 last card I could find, and literally,repparttar 111675 last card ever given from my Nana to my Pop before he died. He was 86, and she was 89. The road of love is long and full of curves, bumps, hills, ups and downs. As a team, no matter whererepparttar 111676 road lead or how bumpy or smooth it was, they made it. The road of true love isrepparttar 111677 only road that never, ever ends.

1995:(My Nana was 89 atrepparttar 111678 time she gave this to my Pop.) To My Hubby on Christmas Day, Wifey FOR MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND...WHAT IS LOVE? "WHAT IS LOVE? Love is a touch-- tender with care- A meaningful look-- secrets to share-- Love is a mood-- laughter or tears-- Shared by two hearts-- attuned throughrepparttar 111679 years. Love is a word-- that kindles a fire-- To give yourepparttar 111680 world-- and all you desire. Love is a faith-- that dreams will come true. Love is wonderful-- love, Dear, is you. You alone arerepparttar 111681 one I love- The one I'm always thinking of, You alone will always be- The one who meansrepparttar 111682 world to me. WISHING A WONDERFUL HUSBAND A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS Signed: To My Hubby at Christmas- Merry Christmas Hon + Happy New Year. Loads of Love, XXXXXXXXX, Your Loving Wife

This is dedicated to my Grandparents, Al and Ellen DuBois, who showedrepparttar 111683 world that if love is real and you takerepparttar 111684 time to show it, there is nothing more powerful or beautiful on this earth. Thank you for showing me a lifetime of Love. © Ellen M. DuBois



Ellen M. DuBois, MA - Ms. DuBois is engaged and has a dog who loves to critique her work. She is published in vol.2 of God Allows U-Turns with her piece, "The Angel in the Dumpster". She writes to touch the hearts of others. Please visit Writings of the Heart, her award winning writer's resource site- http://writingsoftheheart.homestead.com/index.html


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use