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Susan's Story - The Facts About Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by the head being hit by something or shaken violently. Learn the facts about this all-too-common injury along with helpful tips for parents and teachers.
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Assentive Communication Introduction
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
Clock Communicators are "Low-Tech" augmentative communication devices, meaning you don't need a computer or software to make them work. They are an excellent way to introduce communication and making choices to new switch-users. When starting to work with your child, try taking pictures of the real choices that you want your child to indicate. It also helps to start with pictures and real objects presented. i.e.. Glass of milk on one side, OR banana on the other. Work up from two choices to as many as twelve. Try: pictures of bed, bath, outside, toys, video, food, drink, family members etc.
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PLAY Tip
Adapting Signs for pre-verbal communication
Many hearing children use Sign instead of or before verbal communication. But what do you do if traditional Signs are physically difficult to master? Adapt them!
For example, the traditional Sign used to indicate "I need to go to the washroom" involves putting the thumb between the third and fourth fingers in a fist and waving the fist. If the child can't manage the hand position you could try using a plain closed fist waving instead.
Sign-based communication can help improve communication skills, lower frustration, improve manual dexterity, and teach children that hands can be used for meaningful activities.
You will find a good group of Sign resources in Dragonfly's book section.