FARMINGTON — The Evergreen Child Development Center invites parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder to a workshop on the use of visual supports for communication. The program will teach parents different ways to communicate with a child who has difficulty speaking. Participants will be able to create materials to take home with them that evening.

The first presentation, “Helping Children Communicate Using the PECS and VIP Systems,” with Speech-Language Pathologist Susan Loughrey, MA, CCC-SLP, will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the UMF Kalikow Center, 186 High Street.

The session will cover two picture-based communication systems, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Visual Integration Program (VIP). The systems are designed to help people with limited use of words communicate with others. Participants will be given basic materials to design their own communication system to fit their child’s needs.

The second session, “Social Stories,” with Mardie Porter, a special education teacher at Mallett School, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Walden Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Social Stories is a tool for teaching social understanding and is useful for children of all ages and abilities, not just children with an autism spectrum disorder. Each social story describes a situation or skill, such as changes in routine, getting dressed or waiting in line. The user of the story can practice a situation ahead of time and visualize possible responses and choices. During this parent information session participants will learn to write Social Stories. All participants will be able to create stories to take home. 

The classes are free, but a $5 donation is appreciated. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to register, contact Sandy Richard at 778-0035.