Experience Story with a Social Theme

Our son JD has CHARGE Syndrome and is DeafBlind. He wears BaHa's (Bone Anchored Hearing Aids) and glasses. He is non-verbal and uses some sign language with us. 

JD has a hard time with crowds. His father is an Athletic Trainer and we always go to games, but it was very hard for JD to handle so much sensory input. His sister Olivia had the awesome idea of moving JD to another area that was quiet, actually on the field by the dugout. He loved it and it has helped him so much. 

They wrote a story about this and they enjoy reading it together.  We used photos, drawings of ASL signs, and large print. Retelling the story with him seems to help him to prepare for going to games and to cope much better with the crowds and stimulation.

Here's the story:

 

 

Text:

JD's Sports Book

By JD Bowdoin

 

 

I went to a basketball game with my mom.  (sign for "mom")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the school that I will be attending next year.  I saw the players.  (sign for "school")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want my mom to see that I am a big boy!  (sign for "boy")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The score is very close and everyone is excited.  I was happy to be there.  (sign for "happy")

 

 

 

 

 

A few days later we went to the baseball game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was nice but I had a hard time following the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I signed to my mom that I was upset.  (sign for "upset")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My sister said we can move to another area. (sign for "sister)

 

 

 

This was much better!  I can see the players up close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am very close to my sister.

 

 

 

 

 

She found me a baseball to hold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the game, I got to walk with my daddy.  I love him!