19-"Yes or No"

 Continuing with our Throwback theme, I began in the last blog, here is some more video of Robbie in school when he was little for those who didn't get enough last time! He's just so darn cute I had to show more. ;-)

     In the last video his teachers focused on having Robbie copy them, match pictures and use the PECS (Picture exchange) to communicate. In today's episode they are teaching him how to shake his head "Yes" or "No" for desired objects.
   Sometimes Robbie seems to do really well with this and really understand, but other times I think he just does what he thinks the teacher wants him to do. I've noticed over the years that his understanding of words seems to float in and out on different days. Sometimes his receptive language is really good, and other days he doesn't seem to understand a word I say. You may have noticed in older episodes he shook his head "yes" to everything, even when I knew he really meant "no". That's why these skills always need to be reinforced every day, or else after a while he seems to lose the skill. It's a never ending journey!

    Here he is in all his blonde haired glory!

    (click the link to watch the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFvMOhVlB3s

 

    If you're new to our blog and you'd like to learn more about the PECS system, head on back to the older blog about the Behavior Specialist where we show the system and talk a little more about it.

16-Behavior Specialist

 

     Do you know what a Behavior Specialist is? If you have an Autistic child you're probably familiar with the term. First of all, you need to know that Autism is diagnosed based on specific behaviors. There is no blood test for Autism. If they exhibit specific behaviors, then they fall on the spectrum of  Autism. Here is a guide that is used to explain symptoms:

    Since I have had Robbie, he's had Speech Therapists, OT's, PT's, LDTC's, Adapted PE,  had IEP's, IHP's, used ABA, PECS.....are you following me? LOL! There is a whole language in the world of Special Ed that I have had to learn.

 

     Robbie had a Behavior Specialist in school, and he has one again now at his Day Program and his group home. She let me videotape her while she explains what she does and her role in helping Robbie to transition into his new place and helping him to communicate. She also functions kind of as his Speech Therapist.
     One thing that really confused me when Robbie first began school when he was little was that I couldn't figure out how a Speech Therapist could work with a kid if he didn't speak! I talk about this, and show how they work their miracles in this video.

                                                         Meet Robbie's Behavior Specialist.


                                                             (click the link to view the video)
                                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoyeDDKzfkw