Resources

I wanted to share some additional Autism resources with you that I have found helpful through the years.  There are so many resources out there now, than when we first started.  Take advantage of them, before you go out and buy (which is what we did).  Sure it might have been easier in the short term, but we could have saved some serious dollars if these things were available eight years ago!

I'll continue to craft a resource post - or at least attempt to - about once a week.  Please follow me to ensure you are receiving the posts.

+PECS
The+ PECS [Picture Exchange Communication System] is a teaching protocol is based on +B.F. Skinner’s book, Verbal Behavior, such that functional verbal operants are systematically taught using prompting and reinforcement strategies that will lead to independent communication. Verbal prompts are not used, thus building immediate initiation and avoiding prompt dependency. (SOURCE:  http://www.pecsusa.com/pecs.php) 

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is a wonderful system to aid in communication - no matter where you are in the process.

Here are a few links for photo sources for your PECS.  (this is what our photos/clip art, etc are called for our daily schedules/paint sticks).  We started using the PECS system before Patrick was diagnosed.  We created a binder with each page organized into Themes, and on the cover was the day's schedule.

Patrick also had two times per day he could select a free choice activity, from our pre-determined acceptable activities;-)

      +AUTISM RESOURCES                                                                              

   PECS                                                                                                                                                    

+PECS Resource Flash Cards & Downloads
http://www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/index.php/downloads.html

+SEN Teacher
http://www.senteacher.org/Print/Other/

+Practical Autism Resources
http://www.practicalautismresources.com/printables

+Grocery
http://www.grocerypecs.com/

+Toy
http://www.toypecs.com/

+Do 2 Learn
http://www.dotolearn.com/

+Kid Access
http://www.kidaccess.com/html/products/standard/main.html

+The Internet Picture Dictionary - This site has resources in multiple languages, plus activity sheets and flash cards.
http://www.pdictionary.com/

+SET
http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/category.aspx?id=4

+Slater Software - A REALLY great resource for picture schedules, social stories, customizable journals & stories!
http://www.slatersoftware.com/document.html

+Touch-and-Go
https://sites.google.com/site/touchandgo2010/file-cabinet

+Pinterest - Visual Supports, Scheds, PECS - What a wonderful resource!  Printable visual schedules PECS downloadables plus loads of creative applications!
https://pinterest.com/pediastaff/visual-supports-scheds-pecs/


   Social Stories                                                                                                                                       

The Gray Center & Carol Gray - Carol trademarked Social Stories.  She is an expert, and her stories are a great place to start when looking to modify behaviors, develop new skills, etc.  Using her guidelines, we have several stories we wrote in the early days, and even more as of recently that are Patrick-specific and have been a tremendous help.  I use a combination of real pictures, illustrations and free clip art to help illustrate his stories.  
http://www.thegraycenter.org/social-stories

Kids Can Dream - Really cute website, with loads of example stories to share
http://kidscandream.webs.com/page12.htm

kcmom4sons

kimberly.carroll