Friday, June 12, 2009

Communicating without words

Long term readers of this blog will know that Son 2, who is severely autistic, is nonverbal. He primarily uses a combination of symbols and a few Makaton signs to communicate in a very limited fashion, usually to ask for things.

Over half term Son 2 discovered that a musical video which he used to love has been uploaded to YouTube. Now we have had many copies of this particular film over the years in both videotape and DVD format. He has eventually destroyed each one and, although it may still be available, I am not going to buy it again. So the discovery was bliss for him.

Early on Monday morning I wrote a note in his home-school book about what he'd done over half term. I explained all about his YouTube discovery (which incidentally he made himself).

Today I got a note back. When they had a class discussion about what the children had done over half term, son 2 repeatedly showed his keyworker the symbols for video and computer.

I'm so proud of him.

6 comments:

Lane Mathias said...

That's brilliant Cathy:-)

Casdok said...

Wow! That is huge! I can feel your pride :)

HelenMWalters said...

How wonderful. xxx

Anne Brooke said...

That's amazing - well done to you both!

Axxx

Anonymous said...

Not surprised you're proud. Your pride will only encourage him to keep on going.

CJ xx

Cathy said...

He was a star. We know he CAN communicate, the problem is he doesn't really want to much of the time. But that's autism for you...