Yesterday we were doing our regular morning routine and it was exercise time. He started looking at the ipad so I got it for him to see what he was wanting. I told him it was exercise time and he proceeded to tell me "I want TV, Family Matters"(that show is on Junior's top 10 list at the moment). Hard to say no when I am so pleased that he is initiating using his "voice". I figured we could compromise and I told him okay as long as you cooperate with exercising you can watch Family Matters at the same time.
Last night we got home from a walk and Junior started to cry and complain. I showed him his upset board and he told me "I want to get out of my chair,(I then asked him where he wanted to sit) bed, I want tv, Fantastic 4".
As soon as he told me what he wanted he stopped fussing and was all smiles.
Can you tell this kid loves the tv? Now that he has more choices each time he loves it even more.
Almost daily we are adding/using more symbols and boards. I can't wait to see what Junior will have to tell me today. I am working on a more "conversational" board for him at the moment. Things like, Hi, how are you, I am fine, thank you, etc.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
I Don't Know
Junior is recovering from pink eye and was still quite miserable this morning. When I asked how he was feeling he would tell me "pain", poor kid(this was a premade board and I need to make some changes to it).
This evening he was feeling much better and we were sitting in his recliner chatting. I pulled up the yes/no board so he could answer questions. This was the first time he had used this board and he thought it was great to be able to tell me more than just yes or no. Sure reminded me to never take speech and communication for granted.
He was being so silly and kept answering "I don't know" to every question. He would get very serious and then answer and start giggling(there are several more choices if you scroll to the next set Junior also liked saying "NO Way"),
His "I got you" smile, Junior loves to tease.
I worked on several of his boards today and now just have to get the new pics added in place of the symbols. My project for tomorrow is to take pictures of all his games, puzzles, toys, and other items that are needed. I am also try to get pics together of family so I can set up a family and friends board for him. I am having so much fun putting the boards together for him especially when I see how much he loves to "talk" using them.
This evening he was feeling much better and we were sitting in his recliner chatting. I pulled up the yes/no board so he could answer questions. This was the first time he had used this board and he thought it was great to be able to tell me more than just yes or no. Sure reminded me to never take speech and communication for granted.
He was being so silly and kept answering "I don't know" to every question. He would get very serious and then answer and start giggling(there are several more choices if you scroll to the next set Junior also liked saying "NO Way"),
His "I got you" smile, Junior loves to tease. 
I worked on several of his boards today and now just have to get the new pics added in place of the symbols. My project for tomorrow is to take pictures of all his games, puzzles, toys, and other items that are needed. I am also try to get pics together of family so I can set up a family and friends board for him. I am having so much fun putting the boards together for him especially when I see how much he loves to "talk" using them.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Learning not to Asssume
We deal with people making assumptions about Junior on a regular basis. Most have to do with his disabilities and understanding. The most frequent assumption is that his level of physical disability means he has the same level of cognitive delay. They speak to me and not to him because if he can't move or speak he can't understand, right? I know Junior has delays but I also know he is one smart kid who loves to smile, has a wonderful sense of humor, and understands so much more then most give him credit for.
Yesterday I found myself making my own assumptions, though in a whole different area. Junior was having a wonderful day but then started getting very upset. He was crying and carrying on and would not be comforted. Because of how it came on and how he was acting I assumed it was a tummy ache. When I asked him if his tummy hurt he just got more upset and wouldn't give me an answer either way. I finally got smart and realized he wanted to "tell" me what hurt. I grabbed his ipad and showed him the "upset" board, he immediately looked at "I hurt" but then to my surprise he told me "it is my head". He calmed down quickly after that and I found out that he was as upset or maybe even more upset that I hadn't grabbed his ipad so he could share with me what was wrong then he was about the headache. A learning curve for us both, and I am learning to make sure he gets the chance to "speak" and not to just assume anything. I am so proud of him for demanding to use his "voice".
Things have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to add the new boards or put in real pictures that are needed for some of the symbols(especially in the movie, games, books, and home talk categories). I plan to get to that this weekend so will be sharing about it soon.
Yesterday I found myself making my own assumptions, though in a whole different area. Junior was having a wonderful day but then started getting very upset. He was crying and carrying on and would not be comforted. Because of how it came on and how he was acting I assumed it was a tummy ache. When I asked him if his tummy hurt he just got more upset and wouldn't give me an answer either way. I finally got smart and realized he wanted to "tell" me what hurt. I grabbed his ipad and showed him the "upset" board, he immediately looked at "I hurt" but then to my surprise he told me "it is my head". He calmed down quickly after that and I found out that he was as upset or maybe even more upset that I hadn't grabbed his ipad so he could share with me what was wrong then he was about the headache. A learning curve for us both, and I am learning to make sure he gets the chance to "speak" and not to just assume anything. I am so proud of him for demanding to use his "voice".
Things have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to add the new boards or put in real pictures that are needed for some of the symbols(especially in the movie, games, books, and home talk categories). I plan to get to that this weekend so will be sharing about it soon.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fun and Games
Junior is dealing with some asthma issues so wasn't up to doing his regular activities but had a blast playing games on the IPAD.
Here he is playing Gobble Crock(kind of a ipad version of the hungry hippo board game)
He really liked the Jelly Invaders game and loved shooting the aliens
He was playing games during postural drainage time so after a few games it was time for him to get on his tummy. I was just thrilled when I told him it was tummy time and he started looking from the tv to the ipad. He was letting me know he wanted to use it to choose a movie.
Here is a little video of him making his choice. Actually he had already made the choice by the time I pulled out the camera which is why he isn't looking at the correct symbol in the first part of the video. With his asthma acting up he is tired and you can tell it is taking him some work to focus on the symbol.
Mellisa and Abigail came by near the end of his tummy time and since he was watching his shows they got a chance to play with his ipad. Quickly a competitive game of Wheel of Fortune was underway.
It didn't take long for Junior to decide that, that sounded like more fun than his shows and want to join in. He had a ball playing with all of us.
Abigail is helping him take his turn(a great way to work on letters and words)
Here he is playing Gobble Crock(kind of a ipad version of the hungry hippo board game)
He really liked the Jelly Invaders game and loved shooting the aliens
He was playing games during postural drainage time so after a few games it was time for him to get on his tummy. I was just thrilled when I told him it was tummy time and he started looking from the tv to the ipad. He was letting me know he wanted to use it to choose a movie.Here is a little video of him making his choice. Actually he had already made the choice by the time I pulled out the camera which is why he isn't looking at the correct symbol in the first part of the video. With his asthma acting up he is tired and you can tell it is taking him some work to focus on the symbol.
Mellisa and Abigail came by near the end of his tummy time and since he was watching his shows they got a chance to play with his ipad. Quickly a competitive game of Wheel of Fortune was underway.
It didn't take long for Junior to decide that, that sounded like more fun than his shows and want to join in. He had a ball playing with all of us.
Abigail is helping him take his turn(a great way to work on letters and words)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Loving All the Choices
One of my favorite things about the communication program that we are using on the IPAD is how it can layer. Once choice leads to another and another to meet whatever needs the child has.
Today Junior was upset and I showed him his "upset" board. He quickly told me he hurt and it was his tummy. As soon as I told him I was very sorry that he had a tummy ache he smiled and was fine. I had to laugh, I think some of it was a ploy to get me to give him his IPAD. I had found a very cool medical app and was inputting all his med lists, doctors, etc(I love this app but will share about it in another post).
After telling me his tummy hurt he told me he wanted a story and then was careful to pick one that required the use of the IPAD, sneaky but smart guy.
From the home page we chose relaxation activities(the "I want" with the recliner under it)
Then Junior chose books
That choice took him to this page(and yes just like his movie pages I need to add real pictures for most of these symbols). Some of these stories have more then one in the series so if he chooses one of those he will get another board to pick the specific story.
He looked away from each page until he got to the one he wanted. How To Train Your Dragon
Having fun listening to his story
Having some fun during school time with the ipad
He was matching words to pictures
He loved this one.
He had to match the animal to the sound
And harvesting some crops on his farm
Before getting out of his stander Junior decided he needed a story. For those using IPADS with their kids have you come across some great read along books. Ones that aren't too "babyish". He loves the Toy Story set, Shrek, and How to Train Your Dragon but I would like to have a few more for him so he has something to distract him at appts.
Today Junior was upset and I showed him his "upset" board. He quickly told me he hurt and it was his tummy. As soon as I told him I was very sorry that he had a tummy ache he smiled and was fine. I had to laugh, I think some of it was a ploy to get me to give him his IPAD. I had found a very cool medical app and was inputting all his med lists, doctors, etc(I love this app but will share about it in another post).
After telling me his tummy hurt he told me he wanted a story and then was careful to pick one that required the use of the IPAD, sneaky but smart guy.
From the home page we chose relaxation activities(the "I want" with the recliner under it)
Then Junior chose books
That choice took him to this page(and yes just like his movie pages I need to add real pictures for most of these symbols). Some of these stories have more then one in the series so if he chooses one of those he will get another board to pick the specific story.
He looked away from each page until he got to the one he wanted. How To Train Your Dragon
Having fun listening to his story
Having some fun during school time with the ipad
He was matching words to pictures
He loved this one.
He had to match the animal to the sound
And harvesting some crops on his farm
Before getting out of his stander Junior decided he needed a story. For those using IPADS with their kids have you come across some great read along books. Ones that aren't too "babyish". He loves the Toy Story set, Shrek, and How to Train Your Dragon but I would like to have a few more for him so he has something to distract him at appts.
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