Re: Update on and the Springboard

May 24, 2011

So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and better

success.

>

> Hi,

>

> We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with

> the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it for

> him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready "

> for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

>

> She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word sentences,

> and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is

> amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has been

> seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker). The AT

> person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero negative

> behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and retains

> what they're teaching him.

>

> We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must really

> stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring

> that (lime green) thing home!

>

> Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten next

> year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly because

> his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

> tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

--

Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

May 24, 2011

I hope you gets to bring home the Vantage! Will you get to use it through

the summer?

I think it is so good for the kid (and the family!) when a communication

system that works is found.

Isaac is a year older than his classmates because he was not allowed to

start school at 5 - since he was a child with a cognitive disability.

Different state and yes, an illegal practice. Tony was not retained and

I've always wondered if it would have helped him. So at 14, I wish Isaac

was in 8th grade and not 7th in part because he is very tall. I wish Tony

was still in 5th grade (and when we pass the elementary school every morning

Tony yells, " I want this school! " ) but he was never retained and he is

short. He could have blended better than Isaac. It is another one of those

difficult dilemmas where the answer is different for each.

Counting down the days until the end of the school year.

Lori

Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

I

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Sara Cohen

Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:16 PM

To:

Subject: Re: Update on and the Springboard

So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and better

success.

On Tue, May 24, 2011 at 2:46 PM, Cookson <macookson@...

<mailto:macookson%40yahoo.com> > wrote:

>

> Hi,

>

> We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with

> the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it

for

> him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready "

> for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

>

> She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

sentences,

> and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is

> amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has

been

> seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker). The

AT

> person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero negative

> behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and retains

> what they're teaching him.

>

> We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must really

> stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring

> that (lime green) thing home!

>

> Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten next

> year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

because

> his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

> tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

--

Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

May 24, 2011

Elie spent 2 years in K, 2 years in 1st. IT worked for us. A lot depends

on the teacher who is in the room.

>

> I hope you gets to bring home the Vantage! Will you get to use it through

> the summer?

>

> I think it is so good for the kid (and the family!) when a communication

> system that works is found.

>

> Isaac is a year older than his classmates because he was not allowed to

> start school at 5 - since he was a child with a cognitive disability.

> Different state and yes, an illegal practice. Tony was not retained and

> I've always wondered if it would have helped him. So at 14, I wish Isaac

> was in 8th grade and not 7th in part because he is very tall. I wish Tony

> was still in 5th grade (and when we pass the elementary school every

> morning

> Tony yells, " I want this school! " ) but he was never retained and he is

> short. He could have blended better than Isaac. It is another one of those

> difficult dilemmas where the answer is different for each.

>

> Counting down the days until the end of the school year.

>

> Lori

>

> Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

>

> I

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto: ] On

> Behalf

> Of Sara Cohen

> Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:16 PM

> To:

> Subject: Re: Update on and the Springboard

>

> So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and better

> success.

>

> On Tue, May 24, 2011 at 2:46 PM, Cookson <macookson@...

> <mailto:macookson%40yahoo.com> > wrote:

>

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with

> > the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it

> for

> > him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready "

> > for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

> >

> > She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

> sentences,

> > and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is

> > amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has

> been

> > seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> > decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker). The

> AT

> > person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> > device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero

> negative

> > behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and

> retains

> > what they're teaching him.

> >

> > We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must

> really

> > stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring

> > that (lime green) thing home!

> >

> > Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten

> next

> > year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

> because

> > his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

> > tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> > kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

> >

> > Sent from my iPhone

> >

>

> --

> Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

>

May 24, 2011

, that is great news about the Vantage! After Drew was tested on the

Springboard & Vantage, they decided he was capable of the Vantage....but he was

in 2nd grade at the time. 's success can be attributed to his young age,

and the eagerness he has to learn. I fully understand your wanting to hold him

back as I did the same for Drew at kindergarten & then again in 4th grade, due

to our move & the school being new to him. I wish you & continued

success & look forward to hearing updates!

Gerry - Mom to Drew, 13 (Ds-ASD)

May 24, 2011

Gerry, thank you so much! I remember that Drew did very well with his

Vantage!!!

We are very blessed that last year's teacher pushed so hard for to get a

talker. She knows 's brother, and I think that influenced her to see his

potential? Or maybe she's just that kind of teacher, I dunno. So it took over

a year, but TBH he was nowhere near ready for the Vantage last year!

I'm hoping for wonderful things!!!

Sent from my iPhone

> , that is great news about the Vantage! After Drew was tested on the

Springboard & Vantage, they decided he was capable of the Vantage....but he was

in 2nd grade at the time. 's success can be attributed to his young age,

and the eagerness he has to learn. I fully understand your wanting to hold him

back as I did the same for Drew at kindergarten & then again in 4th grade, due

to our move & the school being new to him. I wish you & continued

success & look forward to hearing updates!

>

> Gerry - Mom to Drew, 13 (Ds-ASD)

>

May 24, 2011

I just worry that he'll just keep falling farther and farther behind what is

typical. I also feel that it's wrong to promote him to first grade when he

doesn't have the skills of a typical kid entering kindergarten. What kind of

precedent does that set?? We'll just promote him anyway, whether he learns or

not?? Seems wrong.

He's also very short for a 6-year-old. My baby girl is turning 5 next month, is

in the 50th % for height, and she's taller than he is. They weigh the same

(despite eating twice as much, easily!).

Sent from my iPhone

> Elie spent 2 years in K, 2 years in 1st. IT worked for us. A lot depends

> on the teacher who is in the room.

>

> >

> > I hope you gets to bring home the Vantage! Will you get to use it through

> > the summer?

> >

> > I think it is so good for the kid (and the family!) when a communication

> > system that works is found.

> >

> > Isaac is a year older than his classmates because he was not allowed to

> > start school at 5 - since he was a child with a cognitive disability.

> > Different state and yes, an illegal practice. Tony was not retained and

> > I've always wondered if it would have helped him. So at 14, I wish Isaac

> > was in 8th grade and not 7th in part because he is very tall. I wish Tony

> > was still in 5th grade (and when we pass the elementary school every

> > morning

> > Tony yells, " I want this school! " ) but he was never retained and he is

> > short. He could have blended better than Isaac. It is another one of those

> > difficult dilemmas where the answer is different for each.

> >

> > Counting down the days until the end of the school year.

> >

> > Lori

> >

> > Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

> >

> > I

> >

> > _____

> >

> > From: [mailto: ] On

> > Behalf

> > Of Sara Cohen

> > Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:16 PM

> > To:

> > Subject: Re: Update on and the Springboard

> >

> > So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and better

> > success.

> >

> > On Tue, May 24, 2011 at 2:46 PM, Cookson <macookson@...

> > <mailto:macookson%40yahoo.com> > wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with

> > > the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it

> > for

> > > him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready "

> > > for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

> > >

> > > She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

> > sentences,

> > > and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is

> > > amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has

> > been

> > > seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> > > decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker). The

> > AT

> > > person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> > > device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero

> > negative

> > > behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and

> > retains

> > > what they're teaching him.

> > >

> > > We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must

> > really

> > > stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring

> > > that (lime green) thing home!

> > >

> > > Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten

> > next

> > > year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

> > because

> > > his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

> > > tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> > > kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

> > >

> > > Sent from my iPhone

> > >

> >

> > --

> > Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

> >

May 24, 2011

We still have a month left, Lori. When do your boys get done???

I've so BTDT, waiting for the school year to out us out of our misery (,

usually). Thankfully, not this year, but I remember how awful that was!

Sent from my iPhone

> I hope you gets to bring home the Vantage! Will you get to use it through

> the summer?

>

> I think it is so good for the kid (and the family!) when a communication

> system that works is found.

>

> Isaac is a year older than his classmates because he was not allowed to

> start school at 5 - since he was a child with a cognitive disability.

> Different state and yes, an illegal practice. Tony was not retained and

> I've always wondered if it would have helped him. So at 14, I wish Isaac

> was in 8th grade and not 7th in part because he is very tall. I wish Tony

> was still in 5th grade (and when we pass the elementary school every morning

> Tony yells, " I want this school! " ) but he was never retained and he is

> short. He could have blended better than Isaac. It is another one of those

> difficult dilemmas where the answer is different for each.

>

> Counting down the days until the end of the school year.

>

> Lori

>

> Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

>

> I

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

> Of Sara Cohen

> Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:16 PM

> To:

> Subject: Re: Update on and the Springboard

>

> So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and better

> success.

>

> On Tue, May 24, 2011 at 2:46 PM, Cookson <macookson@...

> <mailto:macookson%40yahoo.com> > wrote:

>

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with

> > the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it

> for

> > him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready "

> > for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

> >

> > She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

> sentences,

> > and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is

> > amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has

> been

> > seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> > decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker). The

> AT

> > person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> > device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero negative

> > behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and retains

> > what they're teaching him.

> >

> > We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must really

> > stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring

> > that (lime green) thing home!

> >

> > Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten next

> > year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

> because

> > his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

> > tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> > kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

> >

> > Sent from my iPhone

> >

>

> --

> Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

>

May 24, 2011

Many of our kids do fall behind. BUT if he is promoted without the skills -

he still will fail. It is easier to keep a child behind grade wise in K-3

than after that. And remember that our kids go to school until 21. Elie

spent 4 years doing 6,7,8, as well. many schools use the 2 year plus or

minus as a guideline.

>

> I just worry that he'll just keep falling farther and farther behind what

> is typical. I also feel that it's wrong to promote him to first grade when

> he doesn't have the skills of a typical kid entering kindergarten. What kind

> of precedent does that set?? We'll just promote him anyway, whether he

> learns or not?? Seems wrong.

>

> He's also very short for a 6-year-old. My baby girl is turning 5 next

> month, is in the 50th % for height, and she's taller than he is. They weigh

> the same (despite eating twice as much, easily!).

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> > Elie spent 2 years in K, 2 years in 1st. IT worked for us. A lot depends

> > on the teacher who is in the room.

> >

> > >

> > > I hope you gets to bring home the Vantage! Will you get to use it

> through

> > > the summer?

> > >

> > > I think it is so good for the kid (and the family!) when a

> communication

> > > system that works is found.

> > >

> > > Isaac is a year older than his classmates because he was not allowed to

> > > start school at 5 - since he was a child with a cognitive disability.

> > > Different state and yes, an illegal practice. Tony was not retained and

> > > I've always wondered if it would have helped him. So at 14, I wish

> Isaac

> > > was in 8th grade and not 7th in part because he is very tall. I wish

> Tony

> > > was still in 5th grade (and when we pass the elementary school every

> > > morning

> > > Tony yells, " I want this school! " ) but he was never retained and he is

> > > short. He could have blended better than Isaac. It is another one of

> those

> > > difficult dilemmas where the answer is different for each.

> > >

> > > Counting down the days until the end of the school year.

> > >

> > > Lori

> > >

> > > Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

> > >

> > > I

> > >

> > > _____

> > >

> > > From: [mailto: ] On

> > > Behalf

> > > Of Sara Cohen

> > > Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:16 PM

> > > To:

> > > Subject: Re: Update on and the Springboard

> > >

> > > So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and

> better

> > > success.

> > >

> > > On Tue, May 24, 2011 at 2:46 PM, Cookson <macookson@...

> > > <mailto:macookson%40yahoo.com> > wrote:

> > >

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well

> with

> > > > the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend

> it

> > > for

> > > > him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely

> ready "

> > > > for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

> > > >

> > > > She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

> > > sentences,

> > > > and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher

> is

> > > > amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that

> has

> > > been

> > > > seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> > > > decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker).

> The

> > > AT

> > > > person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use

> the

> > > > device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero

> > > negative

> > > > behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and

> > > retains

> > > > what they're teaching him.

> > > >

> > > > We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must

> > > really

> > > > stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to

> bring

> > > > that (lime green) thing home!

> > > >

> > > > Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten

> > > next

> > > > year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

> > > because

> > > > his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to

> call

> > > > tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> > > > kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

> > > >

> > > > Sent from my iPhone

> > > >

> > >

> > > --

> > > Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

> > >

May 24, 2011

Isn't it amazing when communication clicks? Darwyn (7 DS ASD) is known

throughout the School District as the " king of Pecs " and the school ST always

brings trainees down to watch him (of course she was anti-pecs at the beginning

but is now on board). He can communicate so much more than I ever imagined (or

the school imagined either).

I planned to keep Darwyn back in kindergarten, but changed my mind for 2

reasons: I wanted him to stay with the kids whose faces he knew (it takes him a

long time to get used to new faces) and a few of the kids are friends with

Darwyn. Also - I was given the tip that at this age, other activities are still

available outside of school, but by age 18, school will be almost the only

activity that's publicly available and having the extra year to repeat in high

school might make more sense. Who knows where Dar will be by that age, but he

did transition to grade one very easily (with a fulltime aide).

Although I've never had any expectations that he'd keep up with a typical

curriculum- his own academics is structured for him, he spells his name while

the other kids do spelling, and counts to 10 while they do math - my guess is

will do well either way if he's doing well now and gets the same supports

(that's the key!).

Best of luck and so happy to hear he's communicating more,

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Update on and the Springboard

Hi,

We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with the

Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it for him.

She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready " for it, and

that it will suit him better long-term.

She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word sentences, and

saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is amazed and

I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has been seriously

under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically decreased at school

(and increased at home, where he has no talker). The AT person said that

is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the device, and shows great attention

during their sessions (and zero negative behaviors). He's putting his powers of

imitation to great use, and retains what they're teaching him.

We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must really stink

to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring that (lime

green) thing home!

Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten next

year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly because

his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

Sent from my iPhone

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May 24, 2011

, if was expected or on the same level as his typical peers then he

would not have an IEP. If the situation existed for an IEP student to only be

promoted if they were on grade level then thousands of students would remain in

kindergarten and never move forward. 's progress is evidenced in the

mastery of his IEP goals. There is pro and con to this subject. I think it's

best to project where you want to achieve and have the highest

expectations. He may or may not meet those expectations but settling for less is

not in any child's best interest. I think back to those kindergarten years when

I decided that nothing would stand in the way of achieving an education. I have

not regretted setting those goals. I think many of the school staff have

permanent eye damage from all those rolling eyeballs. In many areas he surpassed

what I was told impossible and other areas remain a work in progress. I remain

driven but truly am counting down

the days until graduation.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 18 DS

> >

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with

> > > the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it

> > for

> > > him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready "

> > > for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

> > >

> > > She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

> > sentences,

> > > and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is

> > > amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has

> > been

> > > seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> > > decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker). The

> > AT

> > > person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> > > device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero

> > negative

> > > behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and

> > retains

> > > what they're teaching him.

> > >

> > > We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must

> > really

> > > stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring

> > > that (lime green) thing home!

> > >

> > > Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten

> > next

> > > year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

> > because

> > > his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call

> > > tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> > > kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

> > >

> > > Sent from my iPhone

> > >

> >

> > --

> > Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

> >

May 25, 2011

We are done June 10th but thankfully will be at the state Special Olympic

tournament on the 9th and the 10th so we will miss some of the last day

craziness. On the 9th the middle school goes to a water park for a field

trip and Isaac is allergic to chlorine - cannot do all day in chlorinated

water and has to have a shower when he is finished. He looks like he is

completely independent but it's the little stuff like not talking to

yourself while in a public shower, getting dressed when you are finished

rather than sitting there contemplating life that he gets in trouble for.

I'm glad isn't having as miserable as a time this year. Sure wish the

same could be said for Isaac. He is really a fun kid, I get really angry

when one teacher can redefine him as nothing but a problem.

And in rereading my post I see that I had grammatical errors and YOU are

the one using the Advantage. It was a good mistake in that I sure feel at

times like I could use a communication device with the school since they

seem to have trouble with every day English!

Lori

Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

>

> We still have a month left, Lori. When do your boys get done???

>

> I've so BTDT, waiting for the school year to out us out of our misery

> (, usually). Thankfully, not this year, but I remember how awful that

> was!

>

Sent from my iPhone

>

> > I hope you gets to bring home the Vantage! Will you get to use it through

> > the summer?

> >

> > I think it is so good for the kid (and the family!) when a communication

> > system that works is found.

> >

> > Isaac is a year older than his classmates because he was not allowed to

> > start school at 5 - since he was a child with a cognitive disability.

> > Different state and yes, an illegal practice. Tony was not retained and

> > I've always wondered if it would have helped him. So at 14, I wish Isaac

> > was in 8th grade and not 7th in part because he is very tall. I wish Tony

> > was still in 5th grade (and when we pass the elementary school every

> morning

> > Tony yells, " I want this school! " ) but he was never retained and he is

> > short. He could have blended better than Isaac. It is another one of

> those

> > difficult dilemmas where the answer is different for each.

> >

> > Counting down the days until the end of the school year.

> >

> > Lori

> >

> > Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

> >

> > I

> >

> > _____

> >

> > From: [mailto: ] On

> Behalf

> > Of Sara Cohen

> > Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:16 PM

> > To:

> > Subject: Re: Update on and the Springboard

> >

> > So happy you have a communication method for . To bigger and better

> > success.

> >

> > On Tue, May 24, 2011 at 2:46 PM, Cookson <macookson@...

> > <mailto:macookson%40yahoo.com> > wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well

> with

> > > the Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend

> it

> > for

> > > him. She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely

> ready "

> > > for it, and that it will suit him better long-term.

> > >

> > > She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word

> > sentences,

> > > and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher

> is

> > > amazed and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has

> > been

> > > seriously under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically

> > > decreased at school (and increased at home, where he has no talker).

> The

> > AT

> > > person said that is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the

> > > device, and shows great attention during their sessions (and zero

> negative

> > > behaviors). He's putting his powers of imitation to great use, and

> retains

> > > what they're teaching him.

> > >

> > > We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must

> really

> > > stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to

> bring

> > > that (lime green) thing home!

> > >

> > > Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten

> next

> > > year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly

> > because

> > > his classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to

> call

> > > tracing lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true

> > > kindergarten skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

> > >

> > > Sent from my iPhone

> > >

> >

> > --

> > Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.

> >

May 25, 2011

has the lime green Vantage. It's great. But I can't get to want to use

it. He uses it well when prompted for single things, but won't seek it out and

is not really trying to communicate with it. I just can't get him to WANT to

communicate much.

I am glad AT is working well for . Hope the Vantage is wonderful for you!

Beth

Update on and the Springboard

Hi,

We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with the

Springboard, so well that the AT person is NOT going to recommend it for him.

She tested him on the Vanguard and says that he is " extremely ready " for it, and

that it will suit him better long-term.

She reports that with the talker, he's putting together 5-6-word sentences,

and saying things like " done eat cookie, let's play now " . His teacher is amazed

and I think everyone (including us!) is feeling that has been seriously

under-estimated up til now. His behaviors have dramatically decreased at school

(and increased at home, where he has no talker). The AT person said that

is exceptionally motivated to learn to use the device, and shows great attention

during their sessions (and zero negative behaviors). He's putting his powers of

imitation to great use, and retains what they're teaching him.

We filled out the paperwork for the Vantage yesterday. Man, it must really

stink to not be able to communicate at all. I can't wait for him to bring that

(lime green) thing home!

Tomorrow's his IEP meeting. I want him to be retained in Kindergarten next

year, since academically he's nowhere near K level. It's kinda silly because his

classroom goes from k-2, but I can't see how it's helping him to call tracing

lines and being able to sequence the letters in his name true kindergarten

skills. He would be truly lost in a typical class!

Sent from my iPhone

May 25, 2011

I was told today that he's very motivated to use it for making specific

requests. But not as motivated to use it to ask/answer questions or anything

like that.

Sent from my iPhone

> has the lime green Vantage. It's great. But I can't get to want to

use it. He uses it well when prompted for single things, but won't seek it out

and is not really trying to communicate with it. I just can't get him to WANT to

communicate much.

>

> I am glad AT is working well for . Hope the Vantage is wonderful for

you!

>

> Beth

>

> Update on and the Springboard

>

> Hi,

>

> We had an AT meeting yesterday for . He's doing amazingly well with the