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Name: ConorsHelper

[ Original Post ]

Hi
I am wondering if anyone can help me... I work with a 4 year old boy who has been diagnosed as autistic. He is capable of saying many words. The thing is...he will say the word once and then that's it. He may or may not say it again and if he does, days and weeks go by between. For instance, last week he wanted "more" juice. I encouraged him to use his voice to ask for more because he has not been wanting to use his PECS book or the sign for more the past few weeks. Well, he said, "mmmmmmoooorrrrrre!" He asked for more juice three times in a row and of course he got it! But then, he went back to signing for more and will not use his voice. I am thinking I should just keep encouraging him to speak and not insisting that he does. Am I doing the right thing???

I think this is a great site. I have found it very helpful. : ) ↓

Name: rachtwins | Date: Mar 23rd, 2007 6:17 AM

Yes your doing the right thing, signing encourages speech. ↑

Name: ConorsHelper | Date: Mar 25th, 2007 6:46 PM

Thanks, rachtwins. I appreciate your response. I felt like I was doing the right thing, but it is good to be validated! : ) ↑

Name: missheather | Date: Mar 28th, 2007 12:40 AM

I would hold off a little to encourage him to talk more. I don't mean frustrate him, but it is easier to sign that to talk and his language is obviously trying to come in. I would withold what he wants for a few seconds to use as an incentive to talk. Like I said, don't frustrate him, but it's amazing what these kids can do when they want something! ↑

Name: ConorsHelper | Date: Mar 28th, 2007 1:37 AM

Boy, that last sentence is right for sure, missheather! When I first met Conor he would NOT sit through a meal. As with so many other negative behaviors, it was a "Catch Me If You Can" game with him running giggling as hard as he could with no telling what type of food in his hands. Well, that is not acceptable behavior! : ) I would warn him ...numerous times at first... but eventually one warning that if he didn't sit at the table to eat then I'd pitch his food. It didn't take too long and he reacted to his warning and then...rarely needed a warning at all.

Last week, we had marshmallows and graham crackers for snack. He'd been full of vim and vigor all day and grabbed his cup of marshmallows and rannnnnnnnnnnnnn. We picked up the marshmallows off the floor and I told him I knew he was happy that we were having one of his favorites snacks. One more cup of marshmallows, but this was the warning. He had to test me. Just as his snack was hitting the garbage, he walked over to the counter, very pointedly pointed at the marshmallows and said, "More!" He knows when he speaks...which is still very very rarely...he gets what he wants! lol But thank you, God, for helping us get through!!! : )

I really am glad I found this site. ↑