Advice needed from parents of special needs preschoolers.?
I have a son, who is PDD. I tried the school's special ed. program, and then decided I should be the one teaching him. He has a limited vocabulary, but it is improving daily. He shows little interest in the curriculum I have bought him. Any suggestions on teaching things such as: opposites; top, middle, bottom; inside, outside.
I have flash cards with pictures demonstrating them, but it is too boring to keep his attention. I need active examples, and various examples for the same topic. I would like to be working with him everywhere we go, like the grocery store or the bank, etc. Thanks for any help.
You probably need a lot more visual and hands-on type of work. My DD has ASD and learns *very* well on the computer. Most of what she knows (she's 8 now) she's learned on a Leap Frog Leapster.
Flash cards are boring. 
Do you use any PECS-type cards? I would label everything in your house with them. You can get expensive programs, or you can make your own. Here is a site with some:
http://www.do2learn.com/picturecards/printcards/index.htm
You can also use photos of favorite toys, or him doing an activity, etc.
Make giant "flash cards" on a shower curtain liner w/ a permanet marker. You can put shapes, colors, letters, numbers, etc. on it. Then have your DS jump to/step on the correct answer.
Do writing in sand or shaving cream. Let him write with dry erase markers on mirrors or sliding glass doors. Quiz him while he's swinging on a swing, or bouncing on an exercise ball. Just think outside the box.
I assume your son has sensory issues from the PDD? If so, then these books are *great* help:
http://www.sensorysmarts.com/
http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/
Do you plan to homeschool him when he's Kdg age? If not, then you might want to keep the door open for his IFSP w/ the school district. He should be able to still get any needed PT, OT, and speech (the most important) from the school. If not, consider a private therapist for OT (sensory/ASD trained) and a SLP.
Sesame Street: Opposite Stuff
