Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 , I am thrilled for you and Kendra that you found the program, and that she enjoys it. Is there any clue there with the involvement of the pictures? Even as far as stimulating one area of the brain first with pictures first, opening a door, (engaging some neuronal bundles?) followed then by an ability to respond and engage in signing? -Oh, that was pathetic-I cannot think of the proper terms-do you know what I'm trying to say?? duh. Even worse, I'm going to keep going here-sorry... I did find that video on Foxnews.com. A two minute video doesn't yield much detail. I believe the boy was fine up until age 2-3 yrs, then regressed to no speech, behavior issues, etc., received autism diagnosis. His parents video'd his older sister playing and doing everyday things, while speaking what she was doing throughout. He was fasinated, watched it continually, modeled it, and began speaking, behaving, interacting normally again. This really intrigues me, and makes me wonder if our kids should be watching anything other than real babies, children, people. No Disney, no cartoons, no teletubbies. I yield to the expert, what's your opinion? ;-) in Ma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 As many of you know, one of the areas we have found difficult has been language development. There are a lot of inconsistencies in Kendra's language development that contribute to making full communication elusive as yet. While she has over 500 signs and written and typed words, she doesn't use them consistently to communicate most of her thoughts, ideas and feelings. And she does have some receptive difficulties as well. Something really wonderful happened regarding communication, so I thought I would share it with you in case some of you wished to access a similar program. Most universities that have " Communication Disorder " departments offer low-cost or no-cost clinics to individuals in the community. Kendra is now enrolled in such a language clinic at a university and had her first session yesterday. It was everything one would want to see in encouraging communication. The Masters Degree students made a customized schedule with pictures of some of Kendra's favorite things on it - alongside the schedule for the day, planned a fun activity, encouraged her signs, interacted in the most positive ways with her. They gave her a lovely scrapbook (with sparkly butterflies on the front) :-) to use at each session. Kendra will make a drawing or collage or story about the session's activity and put it in the scrapbook at the end of the hour. She will then have a cool reminder of the activities so we can discuss them later. Kendra had a wonderful time. This program is a nice compliment to school therapy she receives and things we do at home. Many similar programs admit children from 18 months on up through the lifespan. So for people seeking more language therapy, but don't have access to much therapy through their health insurance or through school, this could be a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 That sounds great ...keep us posted and I hope Kendra continues to enjoy it immensely! > > As many of you know, one of the areas we have found difficult has been > language development. There are a lot of inconsistencies in Kendra's > language development that contribute to making full communication elusive as > yet. While she has over 500 signs and written and typed words, she doesn't > use them consistently to communicate most of her thoughts, ideas and > feelings. And she does have some receptive difficulties as well. > > Something really wonderful happened regarding communication, so I thought > I would share it with you in case some of you wished to access a similar > program. Most universities that have " Communication Disorder " departments > offer low-cost or no-cost clinics to individuals in the community. Kendra is > now enrolled in such a language clinic at a university and had her first > session yesterday. > > It was everything one would want to see in encouraging communication. The > Masters Degree students made a customized schedule with pictures of some of > Kendra's favorite things on it - alongside the schedule for the day, planned > a fun activity, encouraged her signs, interacted in the most positive ways > with her. They gave her a lovely scrapbook (with sparkly butterflies on the > front) :-) to use at each session. Kendra will make a drawing or collage or > story about the session's activity and put it in the scrapbook at the end of > the hour. She will then have a cool reminder of the activities so we can > discuss them later. > > Kendra had a wonderful time. This program is a nice compliment to school > therapy she receives and things we do at home. Many similar programs admit > children from 18 months on up through the lifespan. So for people seeking > more language therapy, but don't have access to much therapy through their > health insurance or through school, this could be a good option. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 That is great I hope it really works out for you all. Sounds like it will since she likes it so much. Hugs, Crystal mom to (10), (3), and Eva (17 month old CHARGEr) wife to Dan > > As many of you know, one of the areas we have found difficult has been language development. There are a lot of inconsistencies in Kendra's language development that contribute to making full communication elusive as yet. While she has over 500 signs and written and typed words, she doesn't use them consistently to communicate most of her thoughts, ideas and feelings. And she does have some receptive difficulties as well. > > Something really wonderful happened regarding communication, so I thought I would share it with you in case some of you wished to access a similar program. Most universities that have " Communication Disorder " departments offer low-cost or no-cost clinics to individuals in the community. Kendra is now enrolled in such a language clinic at a university and had her first session yesterday. > > It was everything one would want to see in encouraging communication. The Masters Degree students made a customized schedule with pictures of some of Kendra's favorite things on it - alongside the schedule for the day, planned a fun activity, encouraged her signs, interacted in the most positive ways with her. They gave her a lovely scrapbook (with sparkly butterflies on the front) :-) to use at each session. Kendra will make a drawing or collage or story about the session's activity and put it in the scrapbook at the end of the hour. She will then have a cool reminder of the activities so we can discuss them later. > > Kendra had a wonderful time. This program is a nice compliment to school therapy she receives and things we do at home. Many similar programs admit children from 18 months on up through the lifespan. So for people seeking more language therapy, but don't have access to much therapy through their health insurance or through school, this could be a good option. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 - Your comments intrigued me. Aubrie has always had a strong preference for movies & shows with real kids. Absolutely no cartoons. She has never liked them. She likes real people - Food Network, Annie, Oliver, Extreme Home Makeover, America's Funniest Home Videos, even info-mercials! Michele W _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of mdlinda@... Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 1:47 PM To: CHARGE Subject: Re: Re: language therapy This really intrigues me, and makes me wonder if our kids should be watching anything other than real babies, children, people. No Disney, no cartoons, no teletubbies. I yield to the expert, what's your opinion? ;-) in Ma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Michele, Well, that would explain why Aubrie's imaginations involve people, and 's involved stuffed animal puppies! Di did let it go eventually. We were in this house when I finally said enough, so she was 10 at least. It was something she saved for home. People imaginations seems better, but we're still left with the problem of pervading imaginings. Now, did you say that the experience of people watching has not helped with socialization or person to person communication, or self-expression? It's funny-Di loves Ray, and she has other favorites on the cooking channel. And she's into 7th heaven, and Animal Planet. I guess old habits die hard. lol. in Ma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 has also preferrs the " real people " movies and tv shows. I thought it has to do with her hearing - many cartoons, you can't even attempt to lipread. Friends in CHARGE, Marilyn Ogan Mom of (14 yrs, CHARGE+ JRA) Mom of Ken (17 yrs, Asperger's) Wife of Rick oganm@... Re: Re: language therapy This really intrigues me, and makes me wonder if our kids should be watching anything other than real babies, children, people. No Disney, no cartoons, no teletubbies. I yield to the expert, what's your opinion? ;-) in Ma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 : That's great about this option; and even better that Kendra is enjoying it! (Of course, if it were doing a scrapbook, it would get all the attention and the therapy work would go by the wayside!) But what wonderful insight to take the University opportunity. Glad you posted about that avenue of therapy. I know many Universities offer OT or PT services, but I never thought of the language therapy. Friends in CHARGE, Marilyn Ogan Mom of (14 yrs, CHARGE+ JRA) Mom of Ken (17 yrs, Asperger's) Wife of Rick oganm@... language therapy As many of you know, one of the areas we have found difficult has been language development. There are a lot of inconsistencies in Kendra's language development that contribute to making full communication elusive as yet. While she has over 500 signs and written and typed words, she doesn't use them consistently to communicate most of her thoughts, ideas and feelings. And she does have some receptive difficulties as well. Something really wonderful happened regarding communication, so I thought I would share it with you in case some of you wished to access a similar program. Most universities that have " Communication Disorder " departments offer low-cost or no-cost clinics to individuals in the community. Kendra is now enrolled in such a language clinic at a university and had her first session yesterday. It was everything one would want to see in encouraging communication. The Masters Degree students made a customized schedule with pictures of some of Kendra's favorite things on it - alongside the schedule for the day, planned a fun activity, encouraged her signs, interacted in the most positive ways with her. They gave her a lovely scrapbook (with sparkly butterflies on the front) :-) to use at each session. Kendra will make a drawing or collage or story about the session's activity and put it in the scrapbook at the end of the hour. She will then have a cool reminder of the activities so we can discuss them later. Kendra had a wonderful time. This program is a nice compliment to school therapy she receives and things we do at home. Many similar programs admit children from 18 months on up through the lifespan. So for people seeking more language therapy, but don't have access to much therapy through their health insurance or through school, this could be a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Yes, thanks so much, , I will keep you posted! It was a neat experience in that there was so much positive energy. A couple of students from the undergrad. program were observing the session from an observation window. My husband, Curt, finished work and came by to catch the end of the session .. As he stood by the observation window also, the students realized that he was Kendra's dad. Then the students said to him that 'she is really sweet' and that she 'was doing really well'. Kendra and I appreciate your well wishes. :-) Re: language therapy > That sounds great ...keep us posted and I hope Kendra continues to > enjoy it immensely! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Thanks so much for the nice e-mail, Crystal. :-) You are so right. Kendra liking the program and the Masters Degree students working with her is going to make it a terrific experience. One of the students told me that she had been really scared before the session. But the therapists both did beautifully. Kendra picked up on their enthusiasm toward her and really responded well. Thanks again! Re: language therapy > That is great I hope it really works out for you all. Sounds like it > will since she likes it so much. > Hugs, > Crystal mom to (10), (3), and Eva (17 month old CHARGEr) > wife to Dan > > > > >> >> As many of you know, one of the areas we have found difficult has > been language development. There are a lot of inconsistencies in > Kendra's language development that contribute to making full > communication elusive as yet. While she has over 500 signs and > written and typed words, she doesn't use them consistently to > communicate most of her thoughts, ideas and feelings. And she does > have some receptive difficulties as well. >> >> Something really wonderful happened regarding communication, so I > thought I would share it with you in case some of you wished to > access a similar program. Most universities that > have " Communication Disorder " departments offer low-cost or no-cost > clinics to individuals in the community. Kendra is now enrolled in > such a language clinic at a university and had her first session > yesterday. >> >> It was everything one would want to see in encouraging > communication. The Masters Degree students made a customized > schedule with pictures of some of Kendra's favorite things on it - > alongside the schedule for the day, planned a fun activity, > encouraged her signs, interacted in the most positive ways with her. > They gave her a lovely scrapbook (with sparkly butterflies on the > front) :-) to use at each session. Kendra will make a drawing or > collage or story about the session's activity and put it in the > scrapbook at the end of the hour. She will then have a cool > reminder of the activities so we can discuss them later. >> >> Kendra had a wonderful time. This program is a nice compliment to > school therapy she receives and things we do at home. Many similar > programs admit children from 18 months on up through the lifespan. > So for people seeking more language therapy, but don't have access > to much therapy through their health insurance or through school, > this could be a good option. >> >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 , This is so nice to read. Please keep us updated. It sounds so positive. a is currently doing her Masters for Communication Disorders at Boston University. They too have clinics where they provide the same services. It's so good there's a long waiting list. One of the things that also impresses me with this is that the students supervisors are observing them with their clients behind the two way mirror. After each session with each client they are evaluated and if needed are given different options on how to improve on themselves and the services for the students. They get better every time they see their client. It sounds like this will be the same for Kendra. I also think the students servicing the clients have that new passion and the updated ideas that make a difference. They learn from the best to become the best. You and the students at the university probably are doing this but just in case I would like to throw you some more ideas. Do you have a Mac? I currently work with children who for various reasons have difficulty with communication. Yet for all of them we take pictures of items or activities, put them in boardmaker, intellikeys or a writing program and can modify or print them out instantly. We also use pictures from the Internet. We also have them make their own books, or a diary as you called it, for them to write things like " I like, I went, I jumped, I read, this is... " This writing can be done in a variety of ways, including handwritten or other technological programs. Depending on the individual child we tweak it to their abilities and needs. We also use the pictures either from the photos or boardmaker to make a schedule of what they are to do i.e. a computer, a ball, read a book ... with the option for them to choose their own activity when done. This of course does not replace communication or hand written material. It adds to it if the child has that ability. We do things like this throughout the child's day as many of our students have difficulty with fine motor control. Technology can and often does improve a child's life. But again you probably know that. I can't wait to hear more about the services Kendra receives. I hope you continue to write about it as we all can use more ideas for our children. Yea. I am so happy for both you and Kendra. Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 , The university language development and speech clinics sound great. How did you find out about them? Did you just contact the department head at the university? I'd love to look into something like that for . , mom to (4) --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 You know, in some ways, Aubrie's socialization is very good. She loves others, is a social butterfly in some ways, has great compassion, etc. But she is extra sensitive to what she perceives as tension, naughtiness, arguing, etc. And she doesn't always get other people's point of view -- if it comes from a negative place that she can't understand. We were just talking this am about some issues at school. There are 2 girls that don't get along, argue, get into trouble, etc. One of the girls is a bit hyper, has taken a strong liking to Aubrie, but sort of stresses her out. In fact, she stressed her out so much in the computer lab trying to show her different Power Point transitions when Aubrie had already selected the one she wanted that Aubrie puked a bit and had to go regroup with some music by herself. Then she was fine. She can tell me about the girls not getting along. How they argue, don't like each other, etc. I'm trying to help her learn when she feels that stress building, that boiling in your tummy feeling, so that she can say " Stop, you're stressing me out, I need a break " . The teacher, aide, social worker, speech therapist, etc are all learning and talking and figuring out how to support Aubrie through this. It's so intense that the one hyper girl's mom is considering taking her child out of the school. There are only 5 kids in the class. You'd think they could keep this under control. But I wonder if the small numbers makes this kind of thing harder. I think it started when there were 3 girls, 2 of whom had been best buds since age 1 or 2, then this 3rd hyper girl comes in and she's the odd man out. When there's only 3 girls, if they don't get along, what can you do?? If there were 10 girls, surely all would find a friend. My frustration is that I don't want Aubrie's perfect educational setting to be messed up by this kind of non-educational stuff! So. thanks for letting me get off on a tangent. It's stressing me out and I'm not sure how to handle it. I will be talking to Aubrie's aide to try to get a grown-up, outsider's perspective. Aubrie is so anti-negativity that we can't even read most kids' books appropriate to her age cuz there's scary stuff, mean stuff, whatever in them. You know, since I started pointing out the pretend people being a problem, she hasn't been doing it nearly as much. I'm watching to see if it's my imagination, if I just have been gone enough to miss it (we've had a busy week), or what. Michele W _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of mdlinda@... Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 7:28 PM To: CHARGE Subject: Re: Re: language therapy Michele, Well, that would explain why Aubrie's imaginations involve people, and 's involved stuffed animal puppies! Di did let it go eventually. We were in this house when I finally said enough, so she was 10 at least. It was something she saved for home. People imaginations seems better, but we're still left with the problem of pervading imaginings. Now, did you say that the experience of people watching has not helped with socialization or person to person communication, or self-expression? It's funny-Di loves Ray, and she has other favorites on the cooking channel. And she's into 7th heaven, and Animal Planet. I guess old habits die hard. lol. in Ma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Marilyn- I also wonder if cartoons are a problem because they have little or no basis in reality. They are so out of sync with what is happening in real life that it might be hard to reconcile both. Don't know. just a random thought. Michele W Aubrie's mom _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of Rick Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 8:15 PM To: CHARGE Subject: RE: Re: language therapy has also preferrs the " real people " movies and tv shows. I thought it has to do with her hearing - many cartoons, you can't even attempt to lipread. Friends in CHARGE, Marilyn Ogan Mom of (14 yrs, CHARGE+ JRA) Mom of Ken (17 yrs, Asperger's) Wife of Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 , Yes, the way to find out if the department has such a clinic and if so, how to apply, would be to contact the department of Communication Disorders or whatever the title of the department is at the particular university, and speak with the department head or the clinic coordinator or the assistant. Not all universities have speech and language or communication disorder/hearing departments, but many do. The department phone number will usually be found in a search for departments on a university's website. I hope you find a similar clinic for !! :-) Re: language therapy , The university language development and speech clinics sound great. How did you find out about them? Did you just contact the department head at the university? I'd love to look into something like that for . , mom to (4) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2006 Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 I have been having terrible computer issues, so have not been able to respond in a timely manner BUT....this post is great!! It is wonderful that the university is open to doing these kinds of things and that Kendra could join AND do so well. Great for both of you. I love that sparkly butterfly scrapbook..... pam > As many of you know, one of the areas we have found difficult has been > language development. There are a lot of inconsistencies in Kendra's language > development that contribute to making full communication elusive as yet. > While she has over 500 signs and written and typed words, she doesn't use them > consistently to communicate most of her thoughts, ideas and feelings. And she > does have some receptive difficulties as well. > > Something really wonderful happened regarding communication, so I thought I > would share it with you in case some of you wished to access a similar > program. Most universities that have " Communication Disorder " departments > offer low-cost or no-cost clinics to individuals in the community. Kendra is > now enrolled in such a language clinic at a university and had her first > session yesterday. > > It was everything one would want to see in encouraging communication. The > Masters Degree students made a customized schedule with pictures of some of > Kendra's favorite things on it - alongside the schedule for the day, planned > a fun activity, encouraged her signs, interacted in the most positive ways > with her. They gave her a lovely scrapbook (with sparkly butterflies on the > front) :-) to use at each session. Kendra will make a drawing or collage or > story about the session's activity and put it in the scrapbook at the end of > the hour. She will then have a cool reminder of the activities so we can > discuss them later. > > Kendra had a wonderful time. This program is a nice compliment to school > therapy she receives and things we do at home. Many similar programs admit > children from 18 months on up through the lifespan. So for people seeking > more language therapy, but don't have access to much therapy through their > health insurance or through school, this could be a good option. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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