Painting and Talking...

So after a few weeks of getting used to the new eye gaze and all of the new opportunities that come with it. We are now at a point where Tom is using the eye gaze to communicate with us during most activities. We are not yet using the eye gaze for every activity as we are slowly easing Tom in. Eye gazing is a very tiring thing to do and so we have to 'train' Tom's eyes to maintain it.

Today Tom and I did some painting and we were communicating with his eye gaze. This is so exciting for us. The speed in which Tom is picking up how to use the words in context is amazing. He knows exactly what he wants to say and for us this is so special. He is also very good at being cheeky!!

Here you can see Tom painting but on the stand in front of him he is using his eye gaze. Tom is coping really well with the extra challenge of the eye gaze. Through constancy his has been able to learn that the eye gaze isn't just a tool to play games on as it was before, but now it allows him to tell us in words how he is feeling or what he wants.

Whilst doing this activity we were using a 12 set grid. This is the grid that you are recommended to start on. Tom enjoyed telling me to pour more paint. The great thing about grid it that there is no wrong answer or word for Tom to say. Whatever he says I then respond and through this we are both learning to talk the same language.

Over these past couple of weeks Tom has become very clear of the meaning of more, he knows exactly when he wants more of something. I have been able to test this by using with things he isn't so sure of. In this circumstance Tom won't ask for more, if it is something he likes, for example warm water, he will ask for 'more'. It makes me so happy that I can understand Tom's wants and needs clearly using this new software.

We are going to keep being consistent and ensuring that we really get the best out of Tom. Watch this space.