The definition for functional communication is "the ability to receive or to convey a message, regardless of the mode, to communicate effectively and independently in a given environment."
The reason I want to use a post to focus on functional communication is so that people understand that communication can be in so many ways. This includes verbal, sign language, or a communication device (high tech or no tech like PECS).
At this given time, Brycen has no functional communication. He can imitate some sounds and noises, and can say many word approximations with verbal prompting from us, can use 5 signs with prompting, but with the exception of a few "spontaneous" words lately, he really has no functional communication. We have discussed starting him on a simple communication device that gives him a choice of pictures, he lays the picture on the device and when he pushes a button, a magnetic strip "reads" what picture it is and says the word or phrase out loud. Therefore, Brycen is given a "voice" through this and also is making choices which is something he is also very far behind on.
When a person's cognitive skills are diminished, which means they do not always understand what you are saying to them, the medical diagnosis for this is Mental Retardation. Brycen has been given this diagnosis because during testing, he cannot convey to us that he understands what we are asking of him. Whether this is because he actually has MR, or if it is just a result of the Autism and lack of an attention span to concentrate on simple tasks during testing, the test results determine that his cognitive skills are in the moderate MR range. As Brycen's communication skills and attention span continue to get better, testing may be more accurate and be able to distinguish between what the Autism is causing and where his cognitive skills actually are.
While Brycen may never be able to verbalize more than a word or two at a time, we are hopeful that someday he will have "functional communication" whether it is through a communication device or sign language, or a mix of the two. Reality is that we may never be able to have a conversation with him, but if we can get to the point that he is able to convey to us the necessities of life like if he is hungry, thirsty, tired, angry, or if he is in pain...that will make a world of difference in his and our life and should be able to decrease the frustration on both sides.
Please continue reading and cheering for Brycen as he continues to make slow, but sure progress! Every email, every blog post, every facebook message (or "like") to our comments about him imitating a new word or learning a new sign is very, very encouraging to us. We know who our support is and it's all of you that convey to us that you are cheering us along through this journey and celebrating with him every step of the way! We are grateful to those who have never even met Brycen, but choose to follow this blog and give us words of support and encouragment along the way. We could not do this alone, and without you we would not be where we are today and Brycen would not have made the progress he has to this point. It can only get better from here if we just keep leaning on all of you for support!
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
Helen Keller
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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Autism and Our Family
"Autism"----It's one word that can change the life of a child and family in so many ways. Autism Spectrum Disorders are being diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 68 children currently. If you do not already know someone that has been diagnosed, the statistics say it won't be long before you do.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Brycen knows more than you can imagine, and in time with your dedication, he will be able to tell you. Sierra uses her toy figures and toy food along with sign language and some charades to show us what she wants. I always say if we are in a charades contest together we would win hands down! Just keep at it, he is taking in everything you are teaching him he just can't get it back out yet!
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