Today for the first time I have seen my 3 year old son use his picture cards to communicate his thoughts and desires...
He woke from his nap at around 3 after a busy day, took me by the hand and led me to the back door of our home, reaching to be picked up and patting the door with his little hand saying "muma muma". I said no, but of course determined as he is, he persisted until he initiated a time out in the corner of the room to cool off his mood.
After calming down he plopped himself in the hallway with his favourite lights and sounds toolbench. For whatever reason it occured to me that this is a perfect time to show him his new cards made for him by his speech pathologist and I. Finding the confidence or more like the courage to present this finished product to him to see if he'd acknowledge my effort, took a few deep breaths.
There he watched carefully as I laid the 'food' cards out on the floor in front of him, one by one; giving him the time to digest what is going on. Once they were all there, he immediately grabbed the card with a photo of bottled apple juice and held it tight to his chest. Pointing at the card, I said YES! you can have apple juice! All along running on pure faith that the messages are getting through both ways.
Setting his cup beside him, he giggled and continued to play. I felt a small sense of accomplishment but was still skeptical.
Later that evening the 'activity' cards were laid out on the dinner table whilst he played with his trains beside me. Again this peaked his curiosity and he watched intently as one by one the cards appeared before him. I pointed and labeled each photo by its key word. Within moments, he picked up the 'wagon' card, and as I asked if he wanted to be outside, he picked up the 'bedtime' card and yawned. I asked my son "Are you sleepy but want to play outside?" Again he giggled, stomped his feet in success and held the cards while he played with his trains.
We didn't wind up going outside to play. Now 'A' watches every thing to do with his picture cards and box of pretend groceries, as he and I realise we CAN learn to communicate.
