Where can I find a good visual aids picture set for children?

Question

My 6yo son has Developmental delays and really low scores in the verbal areas. However, he had high scores in non-verbal areas. I would like to start using visual aids to help him. Where can I find a good picture set for him?

Answer 1

The school should be doing this already.  However a GREAT PECS system, and most widely used is the Mayer-Johnson, Boardmaker symbols.  I use them with my children who are non-verbal with autism.  Ask your child's school to help you with this.  If they do not give him his needed supports, you have legal recourses.  It should not be totally up to you.  But it is awesome that you are involved enough to look for some on your own and make sure he has what he needs!  Good for you!

Answer 2

Boardmaker is the first that came to mind.  Google speech therapy aids or check out www.enasco.com and the like.  I used to buy alot of my stuff from there or elder adult stuff.  Stroke victims use a lot of photographs in therapy, too.

If you want you might be able to cut out pictures from magazines and label them with different styles font or your own handwriting.   There is nothing wrong from homemade versions, school systems used them for years before Boardmaker was widespread.  Pictures for one child is alot different than an entire classroom.  

Once he begins reading, you can replace the pictures with just words.

Answer 3

The following websites may be of help:

http://www.dotolearn.org/

http://www.mayer-johnson.com/MainBoardma...

http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab... (just type in what picture you want and it gives you a list of pictures to choose from)

http://www.disabilityresources.org:80/in...

http://specialneedsparenting.suite101.co...

You can also take your own pictures of items within your child's environment using a digital camera, cut pictures out of magazines & newspaper ads, use Microsoft's Clip Art, or use labels of items your child is familiar with.

I would also suggest you work with your child's speech-langauge pathologist and special education teacher.  I'm sure they have several ideas and resources they would share with you.

Other sites you might want to check out:

Sign language dictionary- http://commtechlab.msu.edu:80/SITES/ASLW...

Apraxia- http://www.apraxia-kids.org:80/

Ideas for parents: http://www.communicationconnects.com/par...

Picture Exchange Communication System: http://www.pyramidproducts.com/

A company where you can order speech/language materials-http://www.linguisystems.com/ or try http://www.superduperinc.com/ (this is my favorite)

Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication: http://aacintervention.com/

Speech Therapy activities: http://www.speechtx.com/index.htm

I have a ton of information.  You can e-mail me if you would like additional information.

Answer 4

I have 2 kids with Autism & I am an in home therapist for children with Autism.

Check out www.do2learn.com for PECS pictures.  Start out with a few pictures here, get them laminated and get tons of velcro.  Check out www.therapyshoppe.com for a PECS book and other therapy aides.  Best of luck to you!