Book With No E

How do you teach a young adult with learning difficulties to use a communication book?

I am a speech therapy support worker and am to teach a boy with no speech to use a communication book. Can anyone tell me how I should do this session by session or suggest a book on how to do it.
E.g session 1. go through the symbols in each section (food, transport e.t.c)
I am meeting with the therapist next week to discuss it but wanted to be prepared!

Wow! How impressive! As mentioned in some of the other posts, I would look into Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). In short, it usually consists of laminated pages in a 3 ring binder type book with velcro pictures that can be taken in and out. Pages are usually arranged by categories, as you have mentioned and can (should!) be arranged based on each student’s needs. You will probably just start with one page!

I would definitely START SMALL! What is the child’s cognitive level? Is he able to understand what the pictures mean? Can he read any words? Does he understand cause and effect? What is his behavior like? For example, does he know that when he shouts someone will come over or does he seem to be unaware of others helping him? These pretty much all need to be in place for PECS to work.

If he seems to understand that the picture matches a real life object that’s great! If he does not make the connection between the picture and the object, you may have to start there. Matching objects and picture (picture of snack and a Cheerio, picture of a toy and his actual favorite toy, etc.) You hold up a real cracker, he touches the cracker picture given a choice of 2. The key is starting with highly motivational objects for that student so he is MOTIVATED to use the pictures and WANTS to use them. Even if it means getting 50 Cheerios in a row as long as he is motivated to give the pictures. If that doesn’t seem to be working, you may try “hand over hand” which you may be familiar with. You will need two adults. One puts the picture in his hand and moves his hand toward you to hand you the picture. You take the picture and give the object. This can continue until the student gives the pictures on his own.

If he is already able to complete these tasks independently, I would again start with a FEW motivational objects or actions only. A favorite small snack, sip of a drink, game, book, massage, sensory object. Whatever that student likes. It is helpful if the reward is small and quick so you can practice as many requests as possible. It’s hard to request 5 slices of pizza….but easy to do 5 small crackers….or whatever he likes. Once he is able to request the specific objects you can gradually increase the number of pictures from there….again continuing with those that are most meaningful and motivating to the student. If he LOVES books, teach books before apples. If he likes to take a walk for a break, teach walk before you teach homework, etc. I wouldn’t necessarily go by categories unless he is pretty advanced and understands what all of those things mean. The key is that the pictures are meaningful and desirable to him so he is driven to use them. Once he sees that he gets what he wants from the pictures he will hopefully use them. In the long run, he might not get desired physical objects, but his frustrations can be greatly reduced by communicating what he needs more effectively.

I hope this helps and good luck! Your student is very lucky to have someone who is so motivated to help him learn!

E. Pahud & C.Abbado – WA Mozart Flute Concerto No.1 in G, l. Allegro maestoso

Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker $165.00 A striking blend of retro style and modern technology. Programmable for brewing up to 24 hours in advance. Setting for 1 to 4 cups ensures full-bodied flavor and aroma. BrewPause™ feature lets you enjoy a cup before brewing is finished. Adjustable heater plate setting keeps coffee at the temperature you prefer. Audible “ready” signal. Automatic shutoff. Includes Gold Tone metal filter, #4 pap…

Cuisinart SS-700 Single Serve Brewing System, Silver – Powered by Keurig $365.00 Perfect for both personal use and entertaining%2C this single%2Dserve home%2Dbrewing system offers consumers fresh gourmet coffee%2C tea%2C hot cocoa%2C and more in under one minute%2E Choose either 4%2C 6%2C 8%2C or 10 ounce from the icon on brewing size options%2E Using Keurig K%2DCups%97featuring over two hundred varieties of pre%2Dmeasured%2C premium brand coffee and tea%2D%2Dthis brewer%92s i…

Excalibur 3900 Deluxe Series 9 Tray Food Dehydrator – Black $249.99 Excalibur 3900 Deluxe Series 9 Tray Food Dehydrator The 3900 Deluxe Series is a 9-Tray food dehydrator that is great for families that love eating healthy! Drying food is fun! The Excalibur Dehydrator allows you to dry anything evenly and efficiently. The unit can dry all fruits, vegetables, meats, and more! Make fruit leathers and home-made jerky – FRESH! The Excalibur has a trademarked horizon…

Sigh No More $7.80 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

It Might Get Loud [Blu-ray] $8.19 What happens when three of the world’s finest rock guitarists gather to discuss music? Find out in this engrossing documentary that brings together Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, U2′s The Edge, and The White Stripes’ Jack White for a candid conversation about the impact that the invention of the electric guitar has had on society as well as their lives and careers. 98 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Sound…

The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe $8.06 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

The Man with No Name Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars / For a Few Dollars More / The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly) [Blu-ray] $18.29 Review for A Fistful of Dollars:A Fistful of Dollars launched the spaghetti Western and catapulted Clint Eastwood to stardom. Based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1961 samurai picture Yojimbo, it scored a resounding success (in Italy in 1964 and the U.S. in 1967), as did its sequels, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The advertising campaign promoted Eastwood’s character–laconic, am…

Ponyo (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) $21.75 A Japanese boy rescues a goldfish trapped in a jar in the ocean and brings it home. His new “pet,” however, is an underwater wizard’s headstrong daughter who sets out to become human and stay with her new friend, in this animated aquatic odyssey from Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. With the voices of Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Cate Blanchett, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, and Betty White. 103 min. Wid…

North / Movie [VHS] $9.98 …

Fulcrum Multi-Flex LED Task Light, Silver $6.99 The superb brightness provided by LEDs makes these lights great for many uses. Use them as book lights, task lights, craft lights and more. Lightweight and efficient, these lights are ideal for reading while traveling. Great for crafts, including sewing and needlework, as well. LED lights will virtually last forever, making these lamps a far better choice than a traditional reading light. These la…