Using the DVDs & Apps for Your Child with Autism or PDD
 
Children will generally learn more from the DVDs if the content of the DVDs is reinforced across a variety of environments and contexts.  For example, with the First Words Set, you’ll want to make sure your child’s therapists and teachers are aware of the words you are currently working on with the DVDs.  Hopefully they will focus on those words as well.  It will help if you keep a list of the words handy and make an effort reinforce them a few times each day as you spend time with your child.  
 
The Vocabulary Builder DVDs included in the First Words Set each feature an interactive sign Language Tutor that demonstrates the ASL sign for the words featured.  Many parents are hesitant to teach signs because they are worried it will discourage speech.  This isn’t the case.  Children who sign talk SOONER.  Using the sign language tutor is a great way to reinforce the words taught on the DVDs, and it’s also a great way to interact with your child.
 
Some children won’t have the focus or patience to watch an entire DVD in one sitting.  This is OK.  If you child prefers to watch the DVDs in 5 or 10 minute chunks this will work too.  In some cases you can play the DVDs in the background while your child plays.  This is particularly true of the Vocabulary Builder and Action Words! DVDs found in the First Words and Nouns & Verbs sets.  Below you can see an example of a child who, though he appears not to focus closely on the DVDs has clearly learned all the words!
 
Take advantage of all the free teaching tools available on this site that can be used to complement the DVDs.  For example, free printable flashcards are available for each of the vocabulary builder DVDs.  Look under the About Us menu and select “Freebies and Fun Stuff” to locate these.  Also, make sure to use the games and extra content included on many of the DVDs.  these all reinforce concepts featured on the DVDs.
 
Take time to watch the DVDs with your child the first few times.  This will do two things.  It will encourage your child to pay attention to a video that may slower paced than your child is used to.  It will also familiarize you with the concepts being taught so that you can make it a point to reinforce them in every day life.
 
Assess how much screen-time your child currently spends each day.  You’ll need to count EVERY type of passive screen-time including:  DVD, Video, Cable, Internet, TV etc..  they ALL count as screen time.  THE LESS OTHER SCREEN TIME YOUR CHILD SPENDS THE BETTER.  If your child has a significant speech delay or has autism you’ll want to be vigilant about making sure that almost all of the media you child views has an educational objective that is appropriate to your child's current level of development.
 
The type of media your child views matters too!  There’s lots of research that shows that children who view “high-stimulus” video content have a harder time paying attention, thinking and problem solving.  The last thing a child with a speech or developmental delay needs is to be further handicapped by this effect.  How do you determine what is “high-stimulus video” and what is not?  Cartoons are generally likely to be more “high-stimulus” than not.  (If you’re hoping for your child to learn language, it’s also important to focus on more realistic and representative examples of the words being taught too.) The speed of action and narration is also a good indicator, fast paced, loud video content is more likely to be high-stimulus than not.
 
Look for video content that is slow paced, features simple narration that reflects the action on the screen, and features realistic depictions of the action.  Repetition of key concepts is also good.
 
If your child is really addicted to high stimulus video ( and many are) you may need to use this addiction to reward viewing of educational videos at first to make the transition. For example you may need to reward 10 minutes of educational DVD viewing or therapy activities with 3 of high stimulus video content.
Look at the links below for more information on high stimulus video content and your child...
 

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