Toby has always had a sweet tooth but up to now has been more of a biscuit boy than a sweetie fiend. Last week however that all changed when he discovered Colin Caterpillars. He's been leading me to the cupboard all week and it doesn't matter how many times I move them - he always seems to suss out my hiding place! On Sunday I finally decided it was time to give him a PECs card for them so that he can add to his growing vocabulary (it also reinforces the concept of communication for him and using his latest desires is a great way of building on his communication skills). So there I was setting up my photo shoot and look who found me and made off with the props!
Now Toby has a proper way of asking for Colin Caterpillars and I have a cupboard full ready and waiting!
Hehehe I don't blame him I can't resist them either.
(((hugs)))
Posted by: karen smith | October 06, 2009 at 02:47 PM
I love them too! I also like chocolate covered gummy bears!
Posted by: Rebecka | October 06, 2009 at 02:58 PM
I've never seen those but my boys love these snakes http://www.naturalconfectionery.co.uk/our-sweets.aspx have to admit I do too :-)
Posted by: periwinkle | October 06, 2009 at 03:16 PM
isn't it great what a bit of (sugary) motivation can do?! it really is wonderful... :)
Posted by: annri | October 06, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Those are fun, aren't they? There is a candy shop in a town along a river that we go to once a year, one of those quaint-sells-all-sorts-of-things-I-don't-need-but-golly-they're-cute towns, and they have all sorts of shapes for the gummy candies, sharks, coke bottles, bears, worms, spacemen, everything . . .
Posted by: peggysue | October 06, 2009 at 04:21 PM
I'm not surprised he pinched them - I would have too!
Posted by: dottycookie | October 06, 2009 at 04:50 PM
That is obviously a young man who knows what he wants! Thank you for you lovely comments today. I'm glad the tomato raised a smile!
Posted by: Gina | October 06, 2009 at 04:52 PM
I loved reading this and admiring, as always, your skill in overcoming all sorts of problems, not just of communication. Toby is so fortunate to have your brilliant support.
Posted by: Chrissy | October 06, 2009 at 05:04 PM
What an awesome idea for communication! I love it!
Personally, I can't get past the way the gummi worms look, but both my daughters LOVE them! There's even a restaurant here that serves them to the kids for a kids meal dessert. They put chocolate pudding at the bottom in a cup, then add Oreo cookie crumbs at the top to look like dirt, then put the worms in the "dirt". My kids think that's hilarious!
Posted by: Ann-Marie | October 06, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Does he already speak loud, or does he use sign language? I'm just curious :)
Those snakes must be good!
Posted by: Mari | October 06, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Hope these colourful snakes will help you two in developing your language! They look very tasty indeed... All the Best, Kristina xxx
Posted by: Kristina | October 06, 2009 at 05:56 PM
I think I want a jelly snake too please. He's clearly a man of discerning tastes.
Posted by: Ali | October 06, 2009 at 06:28 PM
We used PECs cards and sign language for my son who was late to speak. The reduction in frustration for him alone was invaluable. At one point they thought G might be autistic but while he had markers (late speech, toe walking, head banging, and other sensory issues) it turned out that he is more on the ADHD/sensory side. He's come a LONG way, but still has a ways to go. Candy is a big motivator for G as well. His favorite gummies are the sour worms. As a sensory seeker, he LOVES intense flavors of any kind.
Posted by: Heather Hildebrandt | October 06, 2009 at 06:34 PM
can't really blame him (I love Percy pigs myself)
Posted by: susetheslowknitta | October 06, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Wow, I knew nothing about PECs until I read this - and your earlier - post. VERY interesting. I totally admire your patience and perseverance.
Posted by: Emma | October 06, 2009 at 06:59 PM
How wonderful that you can use his new interest to encourage him to communicate with you! Sensible boy liking jelly snakes!!!
Lucy xxx
P.S. The children and I are planning on buying pet bunny and I thought of you when Mr Locket (in despair) said "Can't you just knit one?"
!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | October 06, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Yum!!! x
Posted by: Pipany | October 06, 2009 at 08:40 PM
PECS are the best - I love how it helps with all the frustration - love the little gummy worm card you made - cute!
Posted by: Heather | October 06, 2009 at 09:07 PM
You are a very clever mum! Lucky boy, jelly snakes rock!
Posted by: victoria | October 06, 2009 at 09:36 PM
you are an awesome Mom....
Posted by: Patty Pierce | October 07, 2009 at 12:19 AM
you made me giggle today. thanks, I needed that!
Posted by: carolyn | October 07, 2009 at 05:16 AM
What wonderful colours these come in! I may have to succumb. And as for the person who mentioned chocolate-covered gummy bears - where does one find them?!
Posted by: Mary | October 07, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Lucky Toby to have you for his Mum:O)
Love Nina
Posted by: Nina Chester | October 07, 2009 at 09:01 AM
I'm a fan of any 'gummy' sweet. Go Toby!
Posted by: jill | October 07, 2009 at 10:14 AM
I don't blame him - I had a bag of the cola version and couldn't put them down either. I wonder what is in them that makes them so moreish?!
Posted by: Rosy Nancarrow | October 07, 2009 at 11:26 AM
precious, what a great way to communicate
Posted by: suzie sews | October 07, 2009 at 07:03 PM
I like these too
Toby is so lucky to have you for his Mum
Hugs Jackie x
Posted by: Jackie | October 07, 2009 at 08:22 PM
I love PECS! What a life-changer it was for my son. Have you seen the new augmentative communication application that you can put on an iphone or ipod Touch? It is called Proloquo2go. You can find info about it at: http://www.proloquo2go.com/.
We just got it and think it is fab! Now I have PECS pictures with me at all times for my son to use. It has several voices to choose from including British accents! The app. can be downloaded from iTunes. It is super easy to program and has thousands of pictures or you can use your own photos. It costs about $180 but when you consider the regular devices cost more than $5,000 it is a steal. (Sorry if you know all about this already. But, we are pretty excited about how great it is to have such a portable, versatile device. Just wanted to share.)
Posted by: Joanie @ The Bright Side | October 08, 2009 at 02:30 AM
I love this story! I can just picture Toby. The big draw for my nephew with autism is zippers. If you visit, he goes and does and undoes all the zippers on the suitcase. The problem is he also rearranges for you. We had a bit of a panic over missing passports last trip playing "Where did Ashley put them?" LOL!
Posted by: Jane Hettich | October 08, 2009 at 03:09 AM
YUMMY COLIN CATAPILLARS - IS THERE A MAKATON SIGN FOR THEM ????LOL X
Posted by: jane halford | October 08, 2009 at 06:25 AM
So sweet to see u make your own cards. I guess it is needed but I never thought of it.
And I was going through my e-mails yesterday and I found one I sent u ages ago, the wierd thing was it ended "best of luck to you and you daughter!" not a word of Toby. I was shocked and I have to appologies. I don't think u rememmber but still I'm very sorry and of course the best of luck to Toby as well.
Posted by: Sofisan | October 08, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Brilliant photos! Those pesky little hands can unearth sweets wherever you hide them! Both my 2 boys have in-built sweet and chocolate radars I'm sure. It must be something to do with children - maybe we should get in touch with a geneticist, we have surely found a new gene!
Posted by: michaela | October 08, 2009 at 05:12 PM
the all mighty PEC strip! i love it!
Posted by: sara (aka sarloz) | October 08, 2009 at 10:55 PM
That's cute!!
Posted by: Emily | October 09, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Fabulous!
Posted by: Jenny | October 10, 2009 at 01:57 AM
Ha ha, that's funny. Reminds me of my sister who has always had an uncanny sense of where the candy is, even when out of sight.
Posted by: Karen | October 12, 2009 at 03:41 AM
What a good system for communicating-I am liking his priorities!!
Posted by: audrey | October 12, 2009 at 04:32 AM
What a great way to incorporate working with Toby. With our Tyler it was Red Licorice and Grannie Smith Apples. Great job love the flash cards.
Posted by: The Garden Bell - Kate | October 12, 2009 at 05:04 AM
Oh I love that little hand sneaking into that photo :)
The PECS system is such a great communication tool.
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | October 13, 2009 at 08:33 PM
LOVE the PECS system, it is posted all over my house and constantly being upgraded or changed in some way as my son get's older. My son didn't learn to dress himself until he was 4 years old, I tried everything. Then one day I made a "dressing strip" for him, he dressed himself that very morning. I thought my husband dressed him, my husband thought I dressed him but he did it on his own.
Inky hugs,
Catherine
www.mystampinggrounds.blogspot.com
Posted by: Catherine | October 16, 2009 at 01:48 PM