Re: Augmentative Speech Therapy

[Guest guest]

Sloan is 2 1/2 yrs old diagnosed with PDD, Developmental dyspraxia, Speech apraxia, and a chromosome abnormality!! He is non-verbal ,no words at all. Our o.t.thinks it was a good idea to see a speech thpst. About a aug. speech device. There is only one in our town that does augmentative thpy. Private pay 150.00 an hour. And she said he needs to be seen at least 1x week. Sorry this is so long. I just need advice!! Does anyone elses child have a device,how much thpy, etc. Any advice!!! I just feel this is exspensive!! Also what age was your child when started with device. I hope I make some sense!!! Thanks!!Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Michele McCants Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:49:17 -0800 (PST)To: <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >Subject: RE: Question about corporal punishment I can't anything in Chapter 7 about corporal punishmnet. Do you know more specifically where to look?From: Tonya Hettler <txuaearthlink (DOT) net>Subject: RE: Question about corporal punishmentTo: Texas-Autism-Advocacy Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 1:47 AMChapter 37 governs discipline. http://tlo2. tlc.state. tx.us/statutes/ ed.toc.htm Corporal punishment is allowed in Texas schools. Our son’s school uses what is called “passive consent”. At the beginning of each school year they send home a form where you can elect to allow corporal punishment for your child or not. If the form is not returned, they consider that consent. Tonya From: Texas-Autism- Advocacy@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:Texas- Autism-Advocacy@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of GauciSent: Friday, January 09, 2009 3:41 PMTo: Texas-Autism- Advocacy@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: [Texas-Autism- Advocacy] Question about corporal punishment I am so sorry. My understanding is that Texas law allows spanking or paddling and that TEA leaves the specific policy up to each district. Follow this link down to find Texas info. http://www.stophitt ing.com/index. php?page= legalinfolaws I do not know much else about it but here are some links that might be interesting or lead you in the right direction. http://www.cnn. com/2008/ US/08/20/ corporal. punishment/ http://www.asbj. com/MainMenuCate gory/Archive/ 2009/January/ Legal-Problems- with-Corporal- Punishment. aspx http://www.stophitt ing.com/index. php My understanding is that, unfortunately, that there is not much you can do about it. It’s just like when the school will not follow the IEP. They have all the power and we have very little. It’s NOT right. I hope things change for kids soon. In the meantime, I am at a specialized private school whose policies align with my beliefs about disciplining children and teaching children with autism. From: Texas-Autism- Advocacy@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:Texas- Autism-Advocacy@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Michele McCantsSent: Friday, January 09, 2009 2:30 PMTo: Texas-Autism- Advocacy@ yahoogroups. comSubject: [Texas-Autism- Advocacy] Question about corporal punishment Does anyone know the TEA guidelines for corporal punishment, specifically if there is an age requirement? Someone told me that they thought children under a specific age could not be spanked at school. My son was spanked yesterday and he is in kindergarten and the principal left marks. Thanks for any help, Michele

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm sorry for taking so long to answer your post, but I was thinking someone with much more knowledge than I would respond.

I'm not a professional or anything. Just a mom.

From what I've read and seen on the net, I don't believe kids are generally given a device at 2 1/2. I believe it's much more common to teach them sign language or use the Picture Exchange Communication System with them.

I would read the book "The Verbal Behavior Approach" before investing in a device (they are very expensive). The book will tell you many ways to stimulate speech. It will also tell you how to get started using sign language. There is a book called "A Picture's Worth" that will tell you how to use the Picture Exchange Communication System (commonly called PECS), if you prefer that.

I would look into some ABA (Verbal Behavior is a form of ABA). It's generally much more intensive than speech therapy. You can also do speech therapy, if you like, but I would suggest you try to get it covered by insurance. I personally don't think it's worth paying $150 an hour for speech therapy.

Some other good books for stimulating speech are "More Than Words" by Fern Sussman and "It Takes Two to Talk" by Manolson. These are available from the State Health ECI Library for free checkout http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/avlib/borrow.shtm

They are big expensive manual-type books.

Also "Overcoming Autism" by Lynn Koegel is really good and you can probably find it at your local library.

Meanwhile, each time your child wants something, before giving it to him, say the word and give him a chance to repeat it before you give him the item. At first he probably won't be able to repeat it, but you can try to get him to at least point to it. I would also reward him for any verbal attempts.

I would try about 3 times before giving the item. Don't frustrate him, though. It will take a lot of time, probably, but eventually he'll catch on that when he talks (or attempts to) he gets good things.

Try to find things that he loves the most and is the most eager to have. Show him the item and try to get him to say it. If he attempts, give it to him immediately with praise and excitement.

HTH

Marilyn

Re: Augmentative Speech Therapy

Sloan is 2 1/2 yrs old diagnosed with PDD, Developmental dyspraxia, Speech apraxia, and a chromosome abnormality!! He is non-verbal ,no words at all. Our o.t.thinks it was a good idea to see a speech thpst. About a aug. speech device. There is only one in our town that does augmentative thpy. Private pay 150.00 an hour. And she said he needs to be seen at least 1x week. Sorry this is so long. I just need advice!! Does anyone elses child have a device,how much thpy, etc. Any advice!!! I just feel this is exspensive!! Also what age was your child when started with device. I hope I make some sense!!! Thanks!!

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