FARMINGTON – The Evergreen Child Development Center invites parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder to a workshop on the use of visual supports for communication. The program will teach parents different ways to communicate with a child who has difficulty speaking. Participants will be able to create materials to take home with them that evening.
The first presentation titled Helping Children Communicate Using the PECS and VIP Systems with Speech-Language Pathologist Susan Loughrey, MA, CCC-SLP, will take place Thursday, October 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the UMF Kalikow Center, in Farmington (located at 186 High Street on the corner of Lincoln Street in the UMF Education Center).
This session will cover two picture-based communication systems, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and Visual Integration Program (VIP). These systems are designed to help people with limited use of words communicate with others. Participants will be given basic materials to design their own communication system to fit their child’s needs.
Save the date for an upcoming presentation with Mardie Porter, a special education teacher at Mallett School in Farmington. She will present the second session, titled Social Stories(tm) on Tuesday, October 20, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Walden Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital.
Social Stories(tm) is a tool for teaching social understanding and is useful for children of all ages and abilities, not just children with an autism spectrum disorder. Each social story describes a situation or skill, such as changes in routine, getting dressed, or waiting in line. The user of the story can practice a situation ahead of time and visualize possible responses and choices. During this parent information session participants will learn to write Social Stories(tm). All participants will be able to create stories to take home. Come and learn about this exciting, user-friendly, low-tech tool!
The classes are free but a $5 donation is greatly appreciated. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP contact Sandy Richard at 778-0035.
The Evergreen Child Development Center, part of Evergreen Behavioral Services, promotes the optimal development and abilities of children and adolescents with a wide range of developmental and behavioral concerns including: autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and difficulties with learning and school performance. Dr. Silverstein, a board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatrician, leads the Center.
