PECS vs. signs

[Guest guest]

Hi all!

I think I am getting sucked into what is perhaps an age-old controversy over

what method of communication is best to teach (our son, who will be four next

month, who has DS/ASD). We were fortunate to find a highly qualified ABA

instructor out here who speaks some English (we live in France right now)

however, she has been trying to teach signs. Even for two highly

motivating things, it has been slow. He can do the sign for " chips " (dehydrated

carrot chips) but can't do the sign for " music " . He was just getting the hang

of the Picture Exchange Communication program (PECS) before his speech therapist

went on vacation for 7 weeks, now he has forgotten how to do that, too!

I was frustrated with the PECS program because I wasn't sure how to implement it

here at home without a second person to help me - was just using the pictures so

show him what we're doing yet and sometimes, to see if he'd point to what he'd

want if I wasn't sure. Now, however, we're potty training him (yay!) so it'd be

REALLY handy if he could come up to me with a picture of the potty when he needs

to go. Right now we take him every 30 minutes just to cover our (and his)

butts.

My hunch is that manipulating his fingers and remembering signs will be more

difficult for him than picking up a picture and handing it to someone. So,

right now, I'm leaning in favor of PECS vs. the signs. I see advantages for

signs too, however, in that you don't have to lug the pictures with you

everywhere. On the other hand, not everyone would understand a sign but the

picture speaks for itself.

I'm still hoping he'll actually speak someday, but until then - what have others

found works best for your son/daughter with DS/ASD?

Many thanks,

Kathy