To PEC or not to PEC

The behaviorist came over Tuesday morning to do an evaluation on Kendal. She was very pleased with Kendal's comprehensive level. It did not take long though for her to give feedback stating that we very much needed to get Kendal on a communication system. Although the signs are great and we still want to push for additional signs, at this point, the behaviorist felt like she needed additional outlets to express herself. The basic system using pictures is called PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). Simply enough, it's just a system of getting her to use pictures to express her wants and needs. The frustration and aggression that Kendal has been exhibiting is just a result of her unable to communicate and this is the only way she knows to act out or show dislike.

PECS: http://www.pyramidproducts.com/pecs.html

We tried this system last year (with a different speech therapist) and Kendal did not seem to respond to it. Of course, there is no telling why. It could have been that she was not ready for such a system at the time. The behaviorist also wants to help get Kendal through her therapies by teaching her: first_________, then___________. The goal is to teach her that she might have to do something she doesn't want to do, but after that we can move on to something she does like. We will begin to work with our speech therapist in trying this out next week. The behaviorists said she recommended at least a few visits with us to help show us how to introduce and encourage the system and also help us learn different techniques in dealing with Kendal's behavior. The state has already said they will only authorize this treatment for children diagnosed with Autism (can you guess how mad I was after hearing that?), but I will wait to see what the behaviorist completed evaluation says and then I will fight TEIS for services. I believe my insurance would cover it all except I would be responsible for any co-pays. Normally TEIS would cover the remaining expenses. Life has been boring lately - I'm almost looking forward to a fight. They don't know who they are messing with.

We have physical therapy in the morning and I hope Kendal will be back on track. She missed 3 weeks in a row of PT due to sickness and vacation, and last week when we started back up she was very frustrated acting throught he whole thing. And that is very unusal. I thought maybe she had forgotten Amber but I don't think that was it because she kept trying to kiss her (sucking up so she doesn't have to work). Who knows?