RE: introduction/Dianna

[Guest guest]

Hi Dianna welcome to the list. Our son is 41, DS, hearing

impaired, and just last year diagnosed with autism. Since he was 9 sign

language has been his primary means of communication. Before that he

made up his own family signs to tell us what he wanted. Our daughters

have used sign language with a couple of our grandchildren until they

talked. Simple signs like " more " , and " finish " , helped with

frustration. There are websites about Infant/Toddler Sign Language or

sure your local library has some sign books.

I am assuming you found the Disability Solution website which Joan

Medlen began that has the back issues just in case you haven't found it

the site is

http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/. Another site is Hodgdon's

site. She has written books on Visual Strategies for Improving

Communication, the site is http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/ she also

has a book on Solving Behavior Problems in Autism. I was able to get

these books through inter library loan at our local library. All the

information can be used for anyone if they have autism or not. Another

site I like that has an overall document you can print out on Positive

Behavior Support called An Overview of Positive Behavior Support it is

http://www.nau.edu/ihd/positive/.

A new book that is out was written by Barbara Doyle (and her sister) who

did one of the evaluations on our son. The book is Autism Spectrum

Disorders A to Z. On the site they have " About ASD " and there are

several things that can be printed out on autism and how to help the

person. It is at http://www.asdatoz.com/aboutasd.html.

Others on this site are very knowledgeable and sure will be helpful to

you.

Louise Mom to 6, including 41 #3 child, DS/HI/ASD and g'mother to 7