Mickey Feeling Chart

[The_Alice]

Hello,
We used something similar to this on our last trip and I cannot tell you how much it helped my son to tell us where he was on the road to becoming overwhelmed while we toured Disney. It really did help us avert many meltdowns. I made a smaller one that will fit in my travel bag and thought I would pass it along in the hopes that if anyone is looking for a tool to help their child communicate better in the parks this may help.

We use a larger version in the classroom and at home and sometimes if he is getting past the point of verbal communication he will walk over to the fridge grab this and turn it over and point to what he needs. I guess sometimes ASP and ASD kiddos simply get too overwhelmed by what they are feeling it is hard for it to come out.

Hope this helps someone!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for sharing. Being able to communicate at least some basic things can help avoid meltdowns

Have you seen those same Mickey feelings on magnets at the parks?
I thought they were pretty neat and might be helpful for some people.

 

[The_Alice]

Thanks for sharing. Being able to communicate at least some basic things can help avoid meltdowns

Have you seen those same Mickey feelings on magnets at the parks?
I thought they were pretty neat and might be helpful for some people.

No I hadn't, I will be sure to look for them though next time we are down there. Were they on Main Street or another area?

 

[livndisney]

Thanks for sharing. Being able to communicate at least some basic things can help avoid meltdowns

Have you seen those same Mickey feelings on magnets at the parks?
I thought they were pretty neat and might be helpful for some people.

We had that magnet set on the fridge for the longest time! We bought it at DTD in the 10 and under store. I have not seen the set for sale lately, but will keep a eye out for it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I saw them in October 2010 and April 2011 in several shops. I think they had them in MouseGears at Epcot.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thought this article might be of interest.

 

[of2dbeach]

[/B][/I] Wow Pecs pics with Mickey Mouse too cool! Is there a way you can send to me so I can print them? My son is 18 Autistic/Epileptic and I think Mickey would help him exspress himself more then just a smiley face, sad face etc.

 

[The_Alice]

[/B][/I] Wow Pecs pics with Mickey Mouse too cool! Is there a way you can send to me so I can print them? My son is 18 Autistic/Epileptic and I think Mickey would help him exspress himself more then just a smiley face, sad face etc.

I would be happy to.

Here are the direct links to my Photobucket account.
Front Side
Back Side

I hope they can help!

 

[of2dbeach]

I think theses will help with his behavior therapy. He is scared to death of elevators so we are giving him valium right now to get him more comfortable doing it. I think the pics will help alot so printing and putting them on a key chain for him. Thanks again

 

[The_Alice]

I think theses will help with his behavior therapy. He is scared to death of elevators so we are giving him valium right now to get him more comfortable doing it. I think the pics will help alot so printing and putting them on a key chain for him. Thanks again

You are very welcome. Our son is kinda okay with elevators, but absolutely hates escalators. No joke he does the Buddy the Elf escalator move unless we really hold him tight on both sides. Let me know how he does with these, I would love to hear.

 

[Brandi1leigh]

I'm currently not teaching but I really wish I had one of those when I was. I had at least one student every year who could have used this! What a great idea!

 

[of2dbeach]

Buddy the Elf lol Mike has that one topped he gets scared he yells Help me help Pllleassee get off me and throws himself on the floor. Now mind you he is 5'8 160# . We had to warn mall security before bringing him in so they know it wasent a kidnapping. TG they know Michael from his school trips to the mall. We go to a 2 story Target on Tuesday so Will let you know. My DD 8 snaged them and wants to use them too because "DD14 makes me sooo MAD! ) guess we will get alot of use out of these!

 

[cuches]

I just love the Mikey emotions! My non-verbal DD 12 uses a Dynavox (voice out put touch screen communication device) but it is really too heavy and bulky to take to the parks. We just got an iPad2 and are looking for good communication apps for it but again, not sure if I want to take such and expensive item to the park. I do bring her pecs that she wears on her waist (looks like a flat fanny pack) but she is pretty good now at communicating her needs with pointing but I think I want to bring the emotions chart with us next time, thanks for sharing!

Tina

 

[winniedapooh]

We had that magnet set on the fridge for the longest time! We bought it at DTD in the 10 and under store. I have not seen the set for sale lately, but will keep a eye out for it.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults and use this one. I bought another batch of them at DTD in March when we were there. I think I got them at World of Disney. Love them, so do my clients!

 

[SueM in MN]

I just love the Mikey emotions! My non-verbal DD 12 uses a Dynavox (voice out put touch screen communication device) but it is really too heavy and bulky to take to the parks. We just got an iPad2 and are looking for good communication apps for it but again, not sure if I want to take such and expensive item to the park. I do bring her pecs that she wears on her waist (looks like a flat fanny pack) but she is pretty good now at communicating her needs with pointing but I think I want to bring the emotions chart with us next time, thanks for sharing!

Tina

You might want to look at this thread for ideas:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2767925

And, if you have access to an iPhone or iPod touch, some of the apps can be used on both with one purchase. An iPod touch is small and light enough to bring to the parks and they are very durable.

And, for everyone, you might want to check out post 3 on the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Scroll down until you see a section of links to threads about Communication Devices and PECs.
You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[Bete]

I'm not dealing with autism, but my mom has Alzheimer's and I'm thinking this could help in that direction, too. It might have to be a little different and more adultish, but this could be a great tool. I know someone in my support group whose mother is babeling; maybe, a tool like this would help her and others with her. Also, I could see this as a help for those with a stroke under certain conditions.

 

[The_Alice]

I would love to take credit, but the one I based this off of came from our super awesome Special Needs Coach at my son's school. They had put Garfield on it and I noticed lately he didn't like to use it, so I asked "Do you like Garfield anymore?" "Nope." "Do you like Mickey Mouse?" "Yup." Ok then.

The behavior chart is integrated within both his speech and OT plus his para uses these often with him to keep him calmer throughout his day so he doesn't get more and more frustrated trying to communicate. Our son is VERY visual so the more PECS and pictures we have around the more easily he finds his day when he can't quite describe something.

There are days he will grab one of these and say "I want this..." and point to food. The "I want this..." no problem "food" however threw him at that moment. His pragmatic speech is really coming along, I just know when he gets overwhelmed the first thing to go is his speech and language. The grunts and whines come right back. And Disney is very overwhelming for these kids with sensorial problems. Heck, they even pump smells out into the air. I just can't imagine what touring WDW is like for him. I get overwhelmed and need a break and I am fairly neuro-typical.