Introducing Pecs Club Ning Group

I created MakingPECSCards yahoo group in January of 2004. Initially I wanted to start a Pecs Club where people meet at a location to share and create picture cards. Today I established a Ninggroup that is called Pecs Club. This is an extension of the Yahoo group and a way to meet other parents and professionals that utilize picture cards, schedule boards and pecs with those on the autism spectrum and other related disabilities.

There are now over 515 members in the group. I have kept out spam with approval of all new members. There is a mix of members that covers professionals in the field, therapists, teachers, parents and assistants. There are issues with email bounces at Yahoo and it is hard to utilize a search for older groups.

I have joined and taken part in almost a dozen Ning groups and like that members can create groups, join groups, share photos, videos and blog posts while meeting new people who share similar interests and family issues.

This will be an easy way to share picture cards, get feedback on picture cards and schedule boards, gain insights into IEP goals and learn about other communication devices, who funds these and what is appropriate for a nonverbal child, teen and adult.

If you are new to picture cards, not sure what a communication device is, need help in acquiring cards, just got a diagnosis or have a child with a speech delay you are more than welcome to join the Pecs Club Ning Group. This invite is also open to professionals who work at various companies or organiztions. Teachers, therapists and those who supoort and assist those in the school setting are more than welcome.

I look forward to this being a successful group. I am not looking for it to be the most popular or getting a large membership. I am hoping for active participation, especially since the school year is now in full swing and we all need support, feedback, guidance and asistance.

Feel free to tell others who have kids with special needs that are nonverbal, have a speech delay, use devices, picture cards or wanting to learn to teach their student or child.

Share pictures of your kids with their picture cards and showcase the schedule boards and activity cards. Tell others how you laminate the cards, which size cards so you prefer, have you ever used black and white line drawings, which side of the velcro do you attach to the card?

An Introduction to Autism Family Adventures

I have been writing online since January of 2000, starting at Epinions. In June of 2005 I became the Editor at http://autismspectrumdisorders.bellaonline.com site at BellaOnline. I also did a spin at the Insurance and Children's TV sites at BellaOnline for a few years.

I will be using this Autism Family Adventures Blog for posts that do not fit at BellaOnline and to share about sites and resources I find along my travels. The id "autismfamily" is not new for me since this is the ID I utilize at many sites.

Perhaps you have sold an autism awareness item to me or purchased books from me when I was selling items. I have the ID autismfamily on ebay as well.

I stated a yahoo group in January of 2004 entitled, MakingPECSCards. There are now 480 members. I implemented Round Robins, which are similar to coupon trains, but we share pecs or picture cards instead of coupons. If you are a parent, teacher, therapist, aide or professional feel free to join. There are links, photos and files at the group for your perusal. The Round Robins are for those in the USA and Canada.

I am also known as "autismfamily" on CafeMom. The two groups I started there are Wish Upon A Hero Members and Autism Resources

I have granted wishes at Wish Upon A Hero under the autismfamily ID. There is a large autism community at that site.

I have an ebook, Educational Autism Tips For Families

I run several groups on gather, including Autism Families and AC Writers for those who want to bring attention to their articles on Associated Content.

I have a profile over at MyLot and have written a few articles on >Associated Content and Helium. I am also on FriendFeed, Myspace, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Cre8buzz, Plurk, Mom Logic,Oozzl, Healia, Trusera, MedHelp and Revolution Health.

I am moving my way around the internet joining sites and meeting new people that may or may not have an autism connection. I look forward to meeting new people and sharing what goes on in an autism family.