Tag: Picture icons for autism

Posted in Adult Day Programs for Special Needs, Autism, Down syndrome, Dual Diagnosis Down syndrome and autism, Recreation/Leisure and Special Needs

DS-ASD~Fall Update 2019

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

DS-ASD~Fall Update 2019

Happy first day of fall 🙂! Here is an update on my son, Nick who is 25 years old and has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism (DS-ASD). My son attends an adult developmental training day program which he enjoys very much. The program has a nice variety of learning and enrichment activities incorporated throughout the day. Outside this program, Nick enjoys spending time with his personal support respite workers in the community going out to eat, movies, parks and other activities.

Some of the highlights of Nick’s day program are community trips, including shopping, visits to parks and local amusements along with going out to eat. In house, the curriculum includes learning centers, communication, functional living skills, recreation, music, movies, gardening, crafts, cooking, Friday fun days and other themes round out this program each week.

Here are a few pictures of Nick at his adult developmental training program:

nick sweeping keeler      Nick nature walk keeler     Nick visor keeler      Nick learning centers keeler

nick connect game

On 9/11 the clients at his program made thank you cards for local first responders. Here’s Nick giving cards to a police officer:

Nick and APD

Nick’s verbal skills are limited, due to having the additional diagnosis of autism and verbal apraxia of speech along with Down syndrome. He uses an Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) device and picture exchange system (PECS) to communicate his needs. There are two ways that I know that he likes going to his day program. Over the weekend, he packed his lunch and put it in his backpack, which he set by the front door. He also took the school icon out of his PECS book and puts it on a Velcro task strip and handed it to me. It’s nice to see how much he wants to go to this program. The routine and structure helps individuals with Down syndrome, autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities navigate their days successfully.

That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa 🙂

Follow Nick and see more pictures of him in action, along with other stories:

Facebook and Pinterest @Down Syndrome With A Slice Of Autism

Instagram @nickdsautism

Twitter @tjunnerstall

 

 

 

Posted in Autism, Behavior/ ABA, Fun Side of Nick

Blog #68~Hardy Har Har 2

Posted on by Teresa Unnerstall

Blog #68~ Hardy Har Har 2

Sometimes I think Nick would rather tease than eat.  Well, unless it’s a big bowl of pasta, then all bets are off.  Having a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism has made it difficult for him to verbalize speech.  It hasn’t stopped him from showing his funny side.  In Blog #39~Hardy Har Har, I explored Nick’s his sense of humor. Check this blog out @https://nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/blog-39hardy-har-har-nick/  This week I have some new gems to share.

Silly guy wearing the blue blanket on his head 🙂

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He knows he is going to get a laugh out of me here….

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Plunk, this is funny stuff….

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Ha, good one Nick. Way to drop the lime in the pasta water….

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Uh oh, another dribble from the second floor stairwell…In Blog #3~Getting Your Goat, you can see a lot more of these. Check it out @https://nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/blog-3-getting-your-goat/

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I try to stay one step ahead of him but it’s not easy.  His latest trick is to push the spout on the coffee maker and let it the hot, brown stream run over the counter and trickle down the white cabinet drawers leaving a puddle on the floor.  He also has taken to dropping toys, remotes, phones and an assortment of things behind the flat screen TV.  One thing that is helping is to catch him before he commits the act.  I show him this icon quickly before he initiates the problem behavior.  It seems to be helping him to regulate those impulses.

angry face

In addition, I use the happy face icon to catch him being good as often as I can…..

happy face

Like when he is unloading the dishwasher (and wearing my high heels)  hardy, har har Nick…..

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Finding ways for Nick to get attention appropriately also helps keep his behavior in check.  I am always stocking up on fun things for him….

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My friend, Kelli found this cool light up ring.  Nick took a fancy to it….

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I looked over a few minutes later and saw that he had made it a toe ring…. 🙂

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And who doesn’t crack up over a bloody hand….

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Hope you enjoyed the light hearted fare this week.  I feel very blessed that Nick is so happy. Yes, his antics drive us bonkers and wear on our nerves.  But he brings a great light and humor to each day. Hey, its Nick’s world….the rest of us are just trying to keep up.  That’s what is in my noggin this week! 🙂

~Teresa