Ryan communicates in many ways – he can say some words, but not very clear. Sometimes we give him a piece of paper and pen to write down what he wants to say, he would usually try to spell out a word.
Sometimes, we give him our phone or ipad to type it out.
Ryan had used the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) when he was younger. We now are teaching him to use the App TouchChat, but progress is slow.
Below are the gestures and some of the sounds he makes – and what it all might means:
We Think It Means: He is asking you to come with him, either because you are needed somewhere or he needs to show you something.
You Should Respond: “You want me to come?” Ryan might just repeat and say “come” and follow him.
We Think It Means: He wants your attention to the area he is pointing at.
You Should Respond: If it's unclear what he wants, ask Ryan “What is it?” He may describe the object by color or shape.
We Think It Means: Ryan is telling you he is feeling pain or discomfort at that area.
You Should Respond:We Think It Means: Ryan is telling you he has a headache.
You Should Respond:We Think It Means: Discomfort or pain in the mouth.
You Should Respond:We Think It Means: Protesting, a sign of distress.
You Should Respond:We Think It Means: He wants your food.
You Should Respond:We Think It Means: He is protesting; he does not like what you just said.
You Should Respond: Depends on the situation.
We Think It Means: He is confirming and agreeing with what you just said.
You Should Respond: Depends on the situation.
Ryan will take your hand and put it on where the pain is.
If he has a toothache or ulcer, he will use his fingers to point into the mouth.
bad toothache – he might be slapping his own cheeks hard.
For ulcer, sometimes he will try to see it in front of the mirror
Headaches – he will grab and squeeze his own head, and sometimes other people’s head.
For sty (eye) – he will keep using finger to lift his eye lids
Ryan can sometimes come to you and say “help me”.
Sometimes he just points to the thing he needs help with.
If he knows the word, he will try to say it, but his articulation is not clear. In such time, give him a pen and paper and see if he could write out the word, or type it out on a device.
We always assume he understands what we are saying.
So do not talk over him, don’t talk bad about him in front of him.
Give him a pen and paper and he might be able to write it out, or
Give me a device/phone to type it out.
That could mean he is frustrated with whatever is going on. Or you could be talking too loud or too much.
No, Ryan does not know how to use the phone.
He does not engage video calls either.
Online learning or video modeling does not work for him.
Ryan probably knows hundred of words, but they are mostly nouns.
We are in the midst of teaching him to combine verbs to nouns to him to express himself.
He does understand verb-noun sentence when he sees them on his visual supports.
We have not figured this out. He hates it when anyone tries to read his books to him.
Not that we know of. But we are looking into developing circles of supports for him and also for his siblings.
A life that:
“Allows him the maximum level of Choice and Control
His days filled with genuine choices and interests
Has a balance of Work and Play
He is surrounded by people who loves him”
