PDD/AUTISM
          SUCCESSFUL
                    STRATEGIES

LISTS

         Using a list is not a sign of weakness or stupidity. It is a sign of being well organized and responsible.  Forgetting, is not a good reason for missing an appointment or coming home from the store without the toilet paper!  A responsible person makes a list.
         
          We all live with lists:  shopping lists, agendas, reciepes, instruction booklets, etc.  There are word lists, picture lists in instruction booklets, and even a picture of the finished recipe could be considered a list.

          People with PDD/Autism and many other developmental delays are primarily visual learners.  I have found that lists work best for this population of people when combined with a picture.

          I have used picture lists for 14 years with my son and a lot of the students I have worked with.  Even though my son has been completely verbal since age 5 and understands everything which is said,  it is a much calmer household when I can give him a list of what to do in a specific order, rather than stand there and tell him what to do step by step.  A list gives a person independence!  A picture list shows how a situation should look.  My son has often argued with me when I have asked him to do something, but I have never heard him argue with a list!!!!!

SEE EXAMPLES OF LISTS BELOW:

HOW
TO
BRUSH
TEETH

GOING
TO THE
BATHROOM

These signs provide the child with a clear picture of what is expected.  The person who is "cueing", can point to each picture and  say the same cue words each time.  This type of  a sign is easily carried and can be used at home, school, and the community.

DRESSING

FOR

WINTER