software -where do I start?

[Guest guest]

Hi, all. I am new to this list -- mainly a lurker. My son is three

and one-half and has Down Syndrome --no autism. He does, however,

have a lot of sensory issues and I have found that many of the

techniques used with autistic children are helpful for . We have

been having some behavioral problems at home (either not processing

auditorily or choosing not to process auditorily ), so we are going

to try using visuals. I have been looking at software (Boardmaker,

etc), and I'm not sure what to purchase. is verbal, and I'm not

sure if this will need to be a lifelong strategy, so I am reluctant

to fork over $400 for Boardmaker right off the bat. I've also seen

info on PCS metafiles and Picture This. Do you have any suggestions

for where I should start? Any experiences with what software works

and what doesn't?

Thanks for your help.

Shanon

mcmartins@...

[Guest guest]

Hi shannon:

It's hard to know what to tell you. I have the Metafile CD also, and you

can scan through that for images by alphabet or category. Black and white

or color. But you can't add things to it, which is what's nice about

Boardmaker--it's like a big database.

The first question to ask yourself is if your son will understand the

symbols or if a photo is more likely to work. He is young enough that

Picture This is a good choice, actually. The people in those photos--well,

the kids--are quite young as are the toys and activities. that's why it is

hard for me to use it. But it's fine for things like foods and such for

Andy.

You might look at Slater Software (Picture It, I think). It's less

expensive and does basically the same thing, I think.

Joan

[Guest guest]

Welcome Shanon !

Am I right ? with one N , if not sorry . I was waiting for our other

e-friends to respond because I've learned through them . I do not use

the boardmaker . I know we will benefit out of it and it will be

worth the investment . But there are ways to work around it when

trying to save or in your case wondering if it will be a lifelong

strategy for your son , verbal thats good . Have you had a chance to

read the Disability Solutions Vol.3, Issues 5 & 6 ,Changing Behavior &

Teaching New Skills . Websites on The 5 W's of Visual Support ,

http://www.kidaccess.com/html/products/specialtopics/equine/fivews.htm

. www.dimensionsspeech.com , www.bbbautism.com , under

communication , there you will also find pics to print out and many

resources , and don't forget under files here , what Joan has posted

and e-friends have shared. Sometime around 7-20-01 , I had posted

under hightlights & Resources of a Documentary . Hope this will

help . Your son may not have Autism , but its always nice to learn

and that is nice to hear from you, on what you see that will be

helpful for . 3 1/2 yrs.old , how cute . Time flies . : )

Irma , 13, DS/ASD.

> Hi, all. I am new to this list -- mainly a lurker. My son is

three

> and one-half and has Down Syndrome --no autism. He does, however,

> have a lot of sensory issues and I have found that many of the

> techniques used with autistic children are helpful for . We

have

> been having some behavioral problems at home (either not processing

> auditorily or choosing not to process auditorily ), so we are

going

> to try using visuals. I have been looking at software (Boardmaker,

> etc), and I'm not sure what to purchase. is verbal, and I'm

not

> sure if this will need to be a lifelong strategy, so I am reluctant

> to fork over $400 for Boardmaker right off the bat. I've also seen

> info on PCS metafiles and Picture This. Do you have any

suggestions

> for where I should start? Any experiences with what software works

> and what doesn't?

>

> Thanks for your help.

> Shanon

> mcmartins@m...

[Guest guest]

I hope you can find whatever the software that your

looking for; for that young person.

--- Joan <jmedlen@...> wrote:

> Hi shannon:

>

> It's hard to know what to tell you. I have the

> Metafile CD also, and you

> can scan through that for images by alphabet or

> category. Black and white

> or color. But you can't add things to it, which is

> what's nice about

> Boardmaker--it's like a big database.

>

> The first question to ask yourself is if your son

> will understand the

> symbols or if a photo is more likely to work. He is

> young enough that

> Picture This is a good choice, actually. The people

> in those photos--well,

> the kids--are quite young as are the toys and

> activities. that's why it is

> hard for me to use it. But it's fine for things like

> foods and such for

> Andy.

>

> You might look at Slater Software (Picture It, I

> think). It's less

> expensive and does basically the same thing, I

> think.

>

> Joan

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was reviewing some of my files and this article slipped out of my

stack . It was a paper that said Down Syndrome Paper . Computer

Programs for children with Language delay , its just something to

read . http://www.geddesproductions.com/id28_m.htm . The new website

is great , so much information from today , posted by peter@-. I even

found service dog info , my sons doc had suggested that we should

consider getting a dog . What a coincidence . I heard this mentioned

here , but never considered it , hmm . Oh ! When I returned from

splurging school supplied damage shopping spree . I found a neat

catalog in my mailbox . www.linguisystems.com

Irma , 13,DS/ASD.

> Hi, all. I am new to this list -- mainly a lurker. My son is

three

> and one-half and has Down Syndrome --no autism. He does, however,

> have a lot of sensory issues and I have found that many of the

> techniques used with autistic children are helpful for . We

have

> been having some behavioral problems at home (either not processing

> auditorily or choosing not to process auditorily ), so we are

going

> to try using visuals. I have been looking at software (Boardmaker,

> etc), and I'm not sure what to purchase. is verbal, and I'm

not

> sure if this will need to be a lifelong strategy, so I am reluctant

> to fork over $400 for Boardmaker right off the bat. I've also seen

> info on PCS metafiles and Picture This. Do you have any

suggestions

> for where I should start? Any experiences with what software works

> and what doesn't?

>

> Thanks for your help.

> Shanon

> mcmartins@m...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/1/2001 10:26:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

mcmartins@... writes:

> is verbal, and I'm not

> sure if this will need to be a lifelong strategy, so I am reluctant

> to fork over $400 for Boardmaker right off the bat. I've also seen

> info on PCS metafiles and Picture This. Do you have any suggestions

> for where I should start?

I have Boardmaker because the State purchased it for Ray in his other

program. However, the behavioral therapist thinks that pictures of Ray

doing things are more helpful to him. I have been taking still photos with

my 35mm because I can't afford a digital right now. It is $13 a roll to

print one copy and scan them to put on a CD. A CD at $10.99 holds 100 prints

so several rolls. I am making cues that way showing for example how to feed

his horses and creating a social story using them.

If Joan will tell me how to upload that file I will post an example.

Peggy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/3/2001 9:47:00 AM EST, greenpak@...

writes:

<< But most that i talked to will only train service dogs for physically

handicapped NOT mentally handicapped because they dont understand how to

properly care for the dog, give the commands and praise etc, most would push

a therapy dog, >>

a: You could try getting a prescription from your doctor for the dog.

We have one which means that Ray could even take one to an apt not

allowing pets under the ADA law. I would think trainers would be have to

honor it too. I have a friend who is a dog show judge nationally who might

be able to come up with a trainer in your area. Let me know what area and

I'll ask her for you.

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Irma did you find a service dog place that will train for our kids, Ive

researched this area many times, and being towards the middle of the US makes it

harder, on the coastlines there is many. But most that i talked to will only

train service dogs for physically handicapped NOT mentally handicapped because

they dont understand how to properly care for the dog, give the commands and

praise etc, most would push a therapy dog, which is pretty much like any dog you

can adopt just has behave and ofcourse trick training, some big places cities

etc even have a therapy dog service where they come to you home etc for say an

hour each week and the child or adult etc pets, grooms and plays with the dog,

gets good therapy out of it (ST, OT, and psych too), The closest I found one of

these is in MIssouri, maybe if we ever get ontrack financially I could start a

therapy dog business for this area, hmmmmm shawna.

From: jfcanfield@...

Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 11:59 PM

Subject: Re: software -where do I start?

Hi ,

I was reviewing some of my files and this article slipped out of my

stack . It was a paper that said Down Syndrome Paper . Computer

Programs for children with Language delay , its just something to

read . http://www.geddesproductions.com/id28_m.htm . The new website

is great , so much information from today , posted by peter@-. I even

found service dog info , my sons doc had suggested that we should

consider getting a dog . What a coincidence . I heard this mentioned

here , but never considered it , hmm . Oh ! When I returned from

splurging school supplied damage shopping spree . I found a neat

catalog in my mailbox . www.linguisystems.com

Irma , 13,DS/ASD.

> Hi, all. I am new to this list -- mainly a lurker. My son is

three

> and one-half and has Down Syndrome --no autism. He does, however,

> have a lot of sensory issues and I have found that many of the

> techniques used with autistic children are helpful for . We

have

> been having some behavioral problems at home (either not processing

> auditorily or choosing not to process auditorily ), so we are

going

> to try using visuals. I have been looking at software (Boardmaker,

> etc), and I'm not sure what to purchase. is verbal, and I'm

not

> sure if this will need to be a lifelong strategy, so I am reluctant

> to fork over $400 for Boardmaker right off the bat. I've also seen

> info on PCS metafiles and Picture This. Do you have any

suggestions

> for where I should start? Any experiences with what software works

> and what doesn't?

>

> Thanks for your help.

> Shanon

> mcmartins@m...

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[Guest guest]

Oh that would be fabulous! I live in north central iowa, shhhhhhh dont tell any

of those computer psychos. I could pretty easily get a Rx from the doc in UIHC,

they are usually pretty cooperative and great at getting stuff approved for

insurance etc, they have a way with words,lol. shawna.

Re: Re: software -where do I start?

In a message dated 8/3/2001 9:47:00 AM EST, greenpak@...

writes:

<< But most that i talked to will only train service dogs for physically

handicapped NOT mentally handicapped because they dont understand how to

properly care for the dog, give the commands and praise etc, most would push

a therapy dog, >>

a: You could try getting a prescription from your doctor for the dog.

We have one which means that Ray could even take one to an apt not

allowing pets under the ADA law. I would think trainers would be have to

honor it too. I have a friend who is a dog show judge nationally who might

be able to come up with a trainer in your area. Let me know what area and

I'll ask her for you.

Peggy

--------------------------------------------------

Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos of

our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by including

them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the archives for our

list.

--------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/3/2001 9:18:48 PM EST, greenpak@...

writes:

<< Oh that would be fabulous! I live in north central iowa, shhhhhhh dont

tell any of those computer psychos. I could pretty easily get a Rx from the

doc in UIHC, they are usually pretty cooperative and great at getting stuff

approved for insurance etc, they have a way with words,lol. shawna. >>

a: I still haven't gotten ahold of Pam. Don't know if she is off

judging a dog show somewhere or what.

Peggy