Penny, Thanks for the input. It makes me feel so not alone and that there
actually are people who understand our situation. This list has been a
Godsend. We live in SE Wisconsin. I would like to attend the PECS workshop
in Oskosh in July. Making it actually happen is another story. I haven't
even had a date w/ my husband in years, much less be away for two days. But
I'm now on a mission and determined as ever to gather as much info. as I can
to help Mandy. I just may find a way to pull it off. Bethany sounds much
like Mandy. We once got to borrow a communication device from the school for
a summer. It recorded several voice messages that could be played back when
she touched the pictures I created for it. ie: ("I want a drink, ...to eat"
...go outside") By the end of summer she would push the "drink" pic when
promted. (She brings me a cup when she's thirsy and I would say "tell me
what you want on your talk board"). I guess this was viewed as too little
progress, but ya know, I wish we could have continued it. PECS sounds like a
promising program for Mandy. Thanks for the help

Terry, mom to Mandy and 3 others (I suppose I should start inc. my husbands
name too--it's Bruce :)