Moving from an Object to a Picture Schedule

Abby recently posted on object schedules (go to post) and stressed the importance of using a schedule that is sensitive to the child's understanding at the current moment. She's right, we often jump too quickly to using an icon/word schedule with children who might not yet be identifying pictures, so how do we know when they're ready to use pictures?

• One way to access a child's understanding of pictures is to see if they can match them.

• Start with actual photographs first. This is less abstract than icons and may be more easily understood. See if your child can match exact photographs to each other

• Also see if your child receptively understands the picture. So, you may want to sit him/her at a table (to help with focus) and ask your child to "point to the playground," for example to see if they can identify that photograph and distinguish it from others. Some children may still recognize that the picture represents a place, however, so even if he/she cannot identify the picture of the play room by pointing to the picture, if they still take that picture to the area and recognize that play time is next, than that's o.k. The key here is to look at what your child understands independently (without anyone having to lead them to the area on the schedule item).

•  If your child is showing skills in this area, then you may want to start using photographs. In this transition you can also put the actual photograph on the object and then gradually just use the photograph.

• Similarly, with icons start by seeing if your child can match icons to each other and identify the picture. For beginning readers, you can also include the word on the picture but if your child is still very young and not yet recognizing letters, then it's not necessary to have the word on the picture.

Using pictures for a schedule can certainly be overwhelming for parents in knowing where to start and where to find these resources. Just remember, it does not need to be beautiful, it just needs to be visual. So, if you can easily sketch a picture on a sticky note, that's perfect! For me personally, I can barely draw a stick-figure so it makes things a bit complicated..... so, where can you go for easy and free pictures?

Here are a few websites:

Examples of icons on Do2Learn Website

Google Images-- www.google.com (click on images and just type in what you want to find). Especially if your child understands photographs better, this is a great site and even if your child is using icons (at school, for example) and understands those, it's still o.k to use actual exact images-- they will still be understandable! You can easily print out schedule items that you are likely to use on a daily or weekly basis, such as errands you run (Target, Grocery Store etc) or activities at home, like Dinner Time, Getting Dressed, etc.  

Do2Learn-- http://do2learn.com/. This site has tons of printable icons for free. They are mostly in black and white and you can print them either with or without words. I love this site because it has tons of pictures for daily living skills and activities in the home and the community. It's a great resource for parents!

Autism Buddy- www.autismbuddy.com. You will have to join this site, but it's free and then you can download many visuals and other activities. They have many clipart images that you may also be able to get on your computer.

Visual Aids for Learning- http://www.visualaidsforlearning.com/index.htm. This is a great website for free images as well. You can download complete packages, such as the "Early Childhood package" or "School package", even a "Toilet Training package" with tons of images related to these categories.

Board Maker: This program is super expensive (check it out), but if you work with lots of children or for a company that would pay for it :), this is a nice program where you can type in what you're looking for and it will produce an color icon that you can then print out. I would recommend checking out the free websites before investing in such an expensive program first though!

Again, it can often be overwhelming to know where to start in using a schedule

with your child and I think picture schedules can often be the most intimidating. 

Here are some points to keep in mind that might make it easier:

• It does NOT need to look beautiful. You do NOT need to laminate. Card stock or contact paper are other options for more sturdy cards

• It's o.k to simply draw something out and put it on a stick note-- or use stickers, whatever is easy!

• Get out your camera and take pictures! Digital camera make this a lot easier this day and age! 

• If you do not have a picture handy, use an object to aid in understanding. For example, it's time to get in the car and you don't have a picture and your child is reluctant to transition. Grab your keys and hand them to your child and say, "time to go in the car."

• You do not need to run out and buy a bunch of velcro. You can use paperclips on a sheet of paper to present the pictures in a top-bottom or left-right fashion. 

• Don't try to initially schedule the ENTIRE day. Just start with part of it. Once the child is used to using the schedule and understands it, then just start with using a schedule at home during the most difficult times and you can always add to it!

Stay posted for future posts on why we use schedules, how much info to include on schedules, and how the person with ASD can interact with or manipulate the schedule!

- Molly

First Concerns, Signs and Red Flags of Autism

Being that we have the pleasure of working with lots of families throughout the year we are exposed to many different circumstances leading to the spectrum.  Pediatricians are often thought to be the first line of defense.  What if delays aren't recognized? 

"He's just a boy", "All children develop at different paces", "His/her older sibling just does the talking for them", "Call if there is still a problem in a year", etc are some of the things parents are being told.  Children not speaking any words at 3, 4, 5 years of age is not something that should go unnoticed but it does.  This is NOT all pediatricians or only happening only at these offices but the fact that it happens at all is concerning.  How can we help get the word out about signs?  There are subtle differences in some children that are rarely picked up until later but what about the obvious/clear delays?

Thanks to the Internet, many families have been able to seek out information on their own.  Autism Speaks Videos are a great way to see red flags at an early age to see if they apply to your child.  There are great books such Does My Child Have Autism? and even screening tools that parents can download on their own: http://www.firstsigns.org/downloads/m-chat.PDF. 

What a few of the red flags?
*Communication difficulties; with or without language delays
*Limited/Poor eye contact
*Echolalia; repeating other's language immediately or later on (such as repeating scripts from TV and movies)
*Little gesturing; pointing, describing by showing, etc
*Difficulties getting along with others; especially peers their own age
*Difficulties with imaginary or creative play
*Repetitive behaviors/movements
*Sensitivity to sounds, lights, clothing, food, etc.

These are only a few of the signs to look out for and should be followed up with an evaluation rather than diagnosing on your own.  Even if your child initially is labeled 'Developmentally Delayed' this can be a great way to access services.   It is concerning that recently in the news some of the Screening Tools were in the press for possible alerting too many families to autism.  We are missing many children early on, therefore, seeing screening tools as a hindrance rather than a guide is a problem. 

We have had a couple of our families share their story on our blog regarding their experiences with the diagnosis and would love to hear more.  Improving our communication among professionals is important to identify children as soon as possible.  We have added a survey to the right of the main page to find out who is alerting families.  What were your first signs?  When were you concerned?  Who helped identify red flags? 

We would love any input!!

-Abby

Fun Feeling and Emotion Games!

I am always looking for fun and interesting games to work on social and communication skills with kids This is called "Funny Faces" and it's perfect for young kids-- 3 years to I'd say first grade or so.

How the game works is that you set out the game board and pick three different colors of cards to use. Set all the cards (a total of 15) on the board and then pick out the same color cards from the drawing deck and set them aside.  One player will draw a card and without showing anyone the card will make the same face. Then, the other players will guess which face the person is making and will put their chip on the corresponding face on the game board. The quickest person wins that round. Also, it's adorable because the child can use the little mirror that comes with the game to help him/her make the expression. 

Using facial expressions to convey emotions as well as reading other people's emotions is a skill that can often be challenging for individuals on the autism spectrum and I love this game because it helps teach these skills and it's not overly complicated for little ones. If you're looking for ways to help structure turn-taking, then check out our earlier post of how to create a visual turn-taking board to make waiting easier: 

http://theautismangle.blogspot.com/2011/06/trouble-taking-turns-struggle-sharing.html.

I fell victim of these online sale websites again and purchased a whole bunch of these tiny stuffed feeling guys. The brand is "kimochis" and you can check them out at http://www.kimochis.com/. I just thought they were so much fun-- I got a little carried away and bought like four packs, but I think I paid $7.00 a pack so you could chose which pack might be most useful for you.  Again, talking about emotions and feelings can be hard for the kiddos we work with and what I love about these is that they are so visual so even if expressive language is difficult for some to get out in a time of frustration or excitement, the child can show how they feel through one of these kimochis. 

If you need to create a new emotion, then you can also use one of these pens to draw a new face!

Many of the emotions are very abstract and so you may want to begin practicing the more basic emotions. Also I think these are great to use with siblings, play dates etc as way to start a conversation about feelings when things get rough. I've also seen similar little toys used in social groups to help all the kids be more aware of their feelings and the feelings of the group in a less threatening way. Anyway, there is just so much you can do with these little things-- oh, and they are small-- probably only 3 inches big all the way around.  Have fun!

- Molly