Re: Diane/Talking Photo Frame

[Guest guest]

Diane,

Anything is worth a trial. Ok, when using this device. Question

would be...does Rochelle have any difficulty with her fine motor

skills? Because this is going to involve pushing the pic of whatever

you would like for her to learn, in my case with is the pic

of a toilet with the word " restroom " which he will learn when he is

out and about in the community, he will recognize the word restroom

which is an appropriate word especially at his age.

If Rochelle has fine motor difficulty, is she receiving OT for it?

This morning woke up and went directly to his picture

schedule and walked towards his talking device for the restroom and

he pushed it on. Its still early to say as I'm following the ABA

Analysis where any skill could be taught but then is it because its

starting to become part of the routine or does he like hearing his

brother Rick's voice which I had him record. It is a matter of

learning the best strategy to use for the skill you are trying. ABA

teaches you how to teach your child. The first strategy is

understanding reinforcement, this is the most powerful tool for

teaching which have worked great for him. Reinforcement can

lead to the motivation to learn most anything. Reinforcers should be

rotated and new ones should be developed all the time. Within time

the device could be faded out once this skill is mastered and learn

to recognize and possibly go on their own to the restroom as it has

become part of the learning skill. #2 strategies is pairing, which

is getting him to interact with me, well I'll probably end up

writing a novel so if I could find a simple ABA strategy site that I

have on file I'll share it with you so that you could review it, so

that you could see what I'm applying. 's behavior has

decreased in a lot of areas, it still requires work with his sensory

issues but then I believe this is normal as I find myself when I do

not want or like something. Its all small steps but worth it when

there is some great progress. Remember also if she does not do well

with visual supports first see...what does your child understand?

photographs, picture symbols, food labels, objects, written words.

's goal which he has master from his last year's goal is

following the picture schedule he will not use the PECs one by one

but he does understand it and follows direction, but with him which

I was reminded by a dear friend to inform his teacher and staff that

they just need to allow extra time for him to process. One of the

behavior consultant had given us a great example of how most kids

process things and this you could try out with your dh. Tell him to

tell you " hi " , in return you count quietly up to about 7 seconds

than tell him " hi " . Another method would be stand behind him and

place your hands behind him near his upper hip area now tell him to

close his eyes and act like he is going to drive with his hands on

the pretend steering wheel but he must have his eyes closed and you

will guide him, see what he does? Did he trust you?

Moving on....I wanted to make sure that there was no underlying

medical issues with his hearing so I had him tested out in Ohio with

an Audiological Evaluation, he did great for the very first time.

Moving on to the reason I had decided to try this device was because

its inexpensive and easy to use. A Communication Evaluation was done

out in Ohio at The Jane and Center for Down syndrome.

One of the recommendations was a trial of a simple switch such as

a " Big Mac " available through AbleNet (www.ablenetinc.com)which may

assist in developing an initation strategy for toileting.

should be encouraged to vocalize and use his PECS picture

along with the switch, and if successful, the switch may be faded

over time so that just an appopriate word or picture presentation

can be used. It also recommends to continue using portions of the

TEACCH program such as " shoebox activities " which may assist

in his continued development of functional skills.

http://www.teacch.com/class.htm

I found the site which may not be too much mumble jumble of the ABA

site

http://www.autismusaba.de/abastrategies.html

Another site from some new friends I've met out at the Texas State

Conference site for Autism which they've enclosed with nice hand

outs is at

www.kelchner.net

Sorry to overwhelm you with so much for asking me a simple little

question, remember we all have different methods to apply for our

kids and each one are so unique and smart in their own way but they

can learn. Before I end with this book. I've been reading Greenspan

info and love his work. I could see why Maddie's mom became so

involved with learning this.

http://www.floortime.org/gettingstarted.htm

I know there is a Conference being held in Nov. by you.

http://icdl.com/

I will not be able to make it out there this year so who knows next

year. I have 2 workshops in line. RDI & another How To Comprise with

your School District with attorney at Law & Author Mayerson.

Hope there is a solution for Rochelle and of course our other kiddos

here on the list. Let me know if anything helped so I know I did not

put you to sleep writing this. ; ) Sorry.

Irma,16,DS/ASD

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

I had forgotten to include the site of The Talking Photo Frame that

I have.

http://www.lburkhart.com/pframe.htm

Irma,16,DS/ASD

[Guest guest]

Excellent Irma,

I thought it was a Big Mac switch. I actually had one a while back

borrowed from a friend. She actually suggested I use it for

bathroom. Rochelle was not as far along as she is now.

What idea you just gave me is to also use the picture acutally on

the Big Mac. Great!!!

Rochelle's teacher and I were just talking about this yesterday but

not with picture as I understand how you use it.

Thanks a bunch. Just wish those switches weren't so expensive. I

think they are 100.00. I remember looking at one a year or so ago. I

know the school has them and will use it if I ask.

Diane

>

> Diane,

> Anything is worth a trial. Ok, when using this device. Question

> would be...does Rochelle have any difficulty with her fine motor

> skills? Because this is going to involve pushing the pic of

whatever

> you would like for her to learn, in my case with is the pic

> of a toilet with the word " restroom " which he will learn when he

is

> out and about in the community, he will recognize the word

restroom

> which is an appropriate word especially at his age.

>

[Guest guest]

What do you use the talking frame for? I bought one years ago at

Walmart cheap but it was just a greeting.

Diane

>

> Hi Diane,

> I had forgotten to include the site of The Talking Photo Frame

that

> I have.

> http://www.lburkhart.com/pframe.htm

>

> Irma,16,DS/ASD

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

The Big Mac switch is easier to use and indeed expensive but worth

the trial especially if the school provides the equipment. Beats

other Assistive technology equipment that will probably just sit

around if not TAUGHT properly.

's 2 older bro's are High Tech maintence(sp?)and we have

invested a lot on them. I probably would not mind buying a

Big Mac Switch but of course first with the trial at school and them

providing the device.

It is so good to hear about Rochelle's teacher being so open-minded

& supportive and willing to work as a team. Ah! she loves the

challenge. This teacher is a good one for sure to keep. How many

years will Rochelle be with her? Make sure she video tapes what she

can do and lots of photos when she is busy at work. They are proof

that she can learn and of course motivational for her when she sees

herself doing something. I send just about every teacher of 's

disposable cameras when some do not have access to a camera from

school and of course to have them developed can cost, which I do not

mind as they are worth the investment. Of course the best investment

the school could provide to the special ed teacher is a digital

camera for her classroom. Oops! I did forget the Vocational Training

Ctr., I better add it to my shopping list if she does not have a

camera.

Since you have the teacher willing to work with Rochelle sounds like

this would be a good trial.

An Educational Consultant whom has worked over 22 yrs. with kids

with AU whom I met at the Texas Conference for Autism had the

talking frame display and I had asked her about it and she had shown

me how to use it. I do believe that Joan and others had shared this

awhile back and I had bought the talking frame but did not do

anything with it as did have a lot of behavior issues at that

time and had difficulty with his fine motor skills.

Since this is just a trial with the talking frame and inexpensive

who knows I might just go with the The Big Mac switch if the talking

frame does not work out for him. I'll see what his teachers will

advice so that we could work together on this. I believe 3 heads are

better than one. ; )

Keep me posted on what y'all decide. I would love to hear if it

works for Rochelle.

Good luck,

Irma,16,DS/ASD

>

> Excellent Irma,

>

> I thought it was a Big Mac switch. I actually had one a while back

> borrowed from a friend. She actually suggested I use it for

> bathroom. Rochelle was not as far along as she is now.

>

> What idea you just gave me is to also use the picture acutally on

> the Big Mac. Great!!!

>

> Rochelle's teacher and I were just talking about this yesterday

but

> not with picture as I understand how you use it.

>

> Thanks a bunch. Just wish those switches weren't so expensive. I

> think they are 100.00. I remember looking at one a year or so ago.

I

> know the school has them and will use it if I ask.

>

> Diane

[Guest guest]

You won't believe this but when I walked into Rochelle's classroom

to drop her off today the teacher showed me the " Big Mac " with a

PECS symbol of toilet taped to the wall.

This is amazing! She has a digital camera because she is part of

TOPPs OR TAPs something to do with technology. She is really

partners with ITS which is our technology people. She sent me e-mail

for parents ITS seminar. I went once before and it was great.

Rochelle is off to the nutritionist Thursday. We haven't been in a

year. Probably have to have some blood work done. Yuch.

Talk to everyone. Later

Diane

>

> Hi Diane,

> The Big Mac switch is easier to use and indeed expensive but worth

> the trial especially if the school provides the equipment. Beats

> other Assistive technology equipment that will probably just sit

> around if not TAUGHT properly.

> 's 2 older bro's are High Tech maintence(sp?)and we have

> invested a lot on them. I probably would not mind buying a

> Big Mac Switch but of course first with the trial at school and

them

> providing the device.

> It is so good to hear about Rochelle's teacher being so open-

minded

> & supportive and willing to work as a team. Ah! she loves the

> challenge. This teacher is a good one for sure to keep. How many

> years will Rochelle be with her? Make sure she video tapes what

she

> can do and lots of photos when she is busy at work. They are proof

> that she can learn and of course motivational for her when she

sees

> herself doing something. I send just about every teacher of

's

> disposable cameras when some do not have access to a camera from

> school and of course to have them developed can cost, which I do

not

> mind as they are worth the investment. Of course the best

investment

> the school could provide to the special ed teacher is a digital

> camera for her classroom. Oops! I did forget the Vocational

Training

> Ctr., I better add it to my shopping list if she does not have a

> camera.

> Since you have the teacher willing to work with Rochelle sounds

like

> this would be a good trial.

[Guest guest]

what aobut those talking picture frames you can get from radio shack i think

they are around 30 dollars, and you record the message for the frame they

even have little books of ten pages i think just push the button ont he page, or

the frame. shawna

[Guest guest]

>

> What do you use the talking frame for? I bought one years ago at

> Walmart cheap but it was just a greeting.

> Diane

I'll just repeat from one of my notes, ok.....

the talking device is used as an inexpensive option for a " call

device. " Non-ambulatory students maintain communication spontanety by

using the frame to call a communicative partner to them. Attach a

button or coin to the " play " button and gently close the cover so

that the student can touch anywhere on the front to activate your

prerecorded message. Record a new message as often as you want! Use

several frames to create multiple messages. Each frame holds a

single ten-second message.

I had purchased mine at Radio Shack during the holidays for about

$7.99, normally for about $9.99 and some magazines or sites sell

them for about $14.00.

Irma,16,DS/ASD

[Guest guest]

Whoa! This is just awesome news! This teacher is just wonderful and

making a difference for Rochelle to make some type of connection to

the world. What a strong believer. When given some type of tools

their lives could be more enjoyable. Remember it may not provide all

the answers, it is only part of the comprehensive training approach

based on principles of ABA. Looking forward hearing on an update.

You might want to suggest to the teacher to wear around her neck

some type of visual prompts or " teacher cues " . Talk disappears but

visual prompts linger. These are visual symbols the teachers have

available and use at all times to prompt the students. I'll send you

a copy with the book I have mentioned to send you, ok. Hmm, partner

with the Technology people, this is even better.

Good luck during these trials. I'm so happy for Rochelle and for

you. It cuts down some stress in not having to battle this. Hope all

went well with the appointment.

Irma,16,DS/ASD

>

> You won't believe this but when I walked into Rochelle's classroom

> to drop her off today the teacher showed me the " Big Mac " with a

> PECS symbol of toilet taped to the wall.

>

> This is amazing! She has a digital camera because she is part of

> TOPPs OR TAPs something to do with technology. She is really

> partners with ITS which is our technology people. She sent me e-

mail

> for parents ITS seminar. I went once before and it was great.

>

> Rochelle is off to the nutritionist Thursday. We haven't been in a

> year. Probably have to have some blood work done. Yuch.

>

> Talk to everyone. Later

> Diane