what kinds of ways can my 5 year old use picture symbols?

Question

he seems to have PDD (not diagnosed yet officially ). He is a very smart boy but seems to be too stressed out by not KNOWING 'what comes next'. He can do everything independently as long as either I do it with him or better yet he has a picture symbol schedule. And any sites I could use? Thanks so much. I could send him to public school but this catholic school offered to take him and it is small and will remain small classes - under 10 till 8th grade - something I think he also needs.

what ways can we use them so when he is out in public he can inconspicuously follow his schedule of picture symbols. Can I use a key ring of sorts or is there technology for this? He is mainstreamed at catholic school and asked me if he could start using this at school too. I want him to shine like I know he can and this will help. Any ideas of different ways to use a picture schedule for a normal functioning child who needs help .

Answer 1

In a kindergarten classroom you could ask the teacher to incorporate the picture symbols/ schedules throughout the day for all students.. and then it wouldn't seem like something that would make your child stand out. A good classroom will post the daily schedule anyway, just ask the pictures are added (or offer to make the pictures for her). She can also post text and symbols for any multi-step directions for the whole class. In terms of individual pictures supports that might be needed a key ring is a great idea as well as something that would look like a small day planner (small binder) that might have steps for routine activities in them laid out.
There are lots of ideas here
http://do2learn.org/

Answer 2

I would not give a 5 year old a cell phone at all! It could get lost or broken. Other children will want to play with it and they may try to make calls on it. There are so many things that could go wrong in this situation! Most schools have made rules now that they are not allowed any way. Even if your son has a condition other children will not understand why he is given special privileges. The staff and the schools are trained to handle children with conditions like this. Often times they can even have a teachers aid who can help your child specifically handle classroom transitions. I would start at the beginning of the year by going in and talking to the school counselor and telling them of your concerns and ask what kind of help the school can provide your son and if you are still really considering this idea about the phone I would discuss this with the counselor and find out what they think of the idea. There are all kinds of other gadgets out there that may work instead. Many watches have more then one alarm that can be set. This might work too. I am sure if you work with the school they will be able to come up with a solution. Also if you are sending him messages for transition from home you may end up disrupting the class. Schedules are not always perfect in a class. Something can happen and they could spend 10 extra minutes on a project and you sending a message could only cause more confusion.

Answer 3

One method I have used in a facility I worked at for picture schedules is to make event cards (with pictures of course) the size of baseball cards (standard is 2.5x3.5 inches). These cards are small enough to fit into a pocket easily, and most importantly fit into baseball card collector sheets. These are plastic sheets that are meant to be placed in a binder, and are quite inexpensive. They typically fit up to 8 or more "cards" (dependent upon how the sheet is oriented), and are easily folded without breaking (and are easily and cheaply replaced if they do). I have been able to fold them until they are the size of one card. While this may be slightly bulkier, the plastic also protects the cards from accidental spills at the dinner table, restroom, etc. While "unfolding" the schedule may be noticeable, it is no larger than a sheet of standard paper, and is quickly refolded and put away again. I have seen people use key rings for this purpose, but key rings do not display the entire day at a glance - one is required to focus on one event at a time. With the "broad" schedule, events can potentialy be seen long ahead of time, and perhaps give a slight edge to transitions (this is speculative). Another benefit to this is that cards can be removed (or turned over) at the completion of an event. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

There is a website called Do2Learn that offers pictures and frames, many for free. It is a great site.

Have you ever seen the key holders that have a cord coming out like a measuring tape? These work great along with an "O" ring and laminated pictures.

You can also take digital pictures of his activities. This works wonderfully.

Answer 5

Mayer-Johnston materials:
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/

I use Boardmaker, a relativly friendly program to make picture symbols for everything; vocab, predictable schedules and communication boards. You don't say if he is verbal or not, but I even used with my youngest daughter pre-reading for just what you say- schedules and pictures on every item in the house. keep the word on it too. I would glue them on to the calendar and you can even order stickers which the teacher could use.