Sign Language

[NeedaVaca]

Sign language may have started for the deaf community but has long been used by speech therapists for children with speech problems, there are kids out there that have severe speech disorders and while they are not deaf it's the only way they can communicate.

For this mom I might say something like..."sign language is not intended to be a substitute for speech therapy, since DCB is not using his words and hitting his developmental milestones (hand her a milestone chart with the areas you are concerned with) it's time for you to call the local birth-3 program (hand her the info) to schedule an evaluation. Early intervention is so important and we obviously want to set DCB up for success and get him all the help he needs."

[rmc20021]

I teach some basic sign language to my 3/4 yo's...not to communicate in the day to day world, but just as an introduction into another way to communicate.

If it's a child who's using a pacifier which the dcm wants to have taught sign language then she needs to take away the pacifier, not teach the child another way to communicate when they are capable of speaking, but cannot because their mouth is plugged.

I totally get an infant using a pacifier to satisfy the extra ****ling they may need, but once they are about 1 yo it's going to impair their ability to want to speak as well as their ability to form words correctly in order to be understood.

IF I were going to use sign language as a method of communicating with a child who becomes frustrated because their needs aren't met when they cannot express themselves well, I would start it as an infant...and even then they would also be encouraged to try to annunciate words.

[Springdaze]

of course speaking and signing doesnt defeat the purpose of it when using for the Deaf community, but it does when you are teaching a hearing child. signing and not speaking or expecting a hearing child to speak is like letting a child point and not talk. i see that as a bigger problem than signing. some parents have to be reminded to talk tol their children and when you sign AND say the word, it encourages purposeful speech with a child. I never teach a sign and not say the word also.

[YHD2013]

In my past nanny life (ha) and when my son was born, I signed from infancy, but whenever I sign I also speak the word. My son, 3, to this day will say the word and sign it at the same time, mostly the sign he signs and says is please. My nephew who is 2, only signs and hardly speaks. Usually for me though, as long as a child babbles and can understand what I am saying or asking I do not worry if their speech is "slow."

[frgsonmysox]

Sign Language is a totally different language. You are teaching your children to be bilingual. Nearly all bilingual children are delayed in each language because they are trying to learn two languages, BUT studies have shown time and time again they catch up and surpass children who never learn a second language. It's no different than teaching a child spanish or french from birth. To say that people shouldn't sign so they can speak, is the same as telling any bilingual child not to speak in Spanish and only English.

[CedarCreek]

My disabled son signed to me until he finally was able to speak (he was 3) he signed along with the words. I don't know what we would have done without sign language until then.

I'm a big believer in it and I teach some to my dc kids. The ones who aren't verbal can now express themselves and the ones who are can communicate with them and they think it's fun. Win/win.

The paci needs to go and then I'll bet that the child will start speaking with the signs.

[Holiday Park]

My son uses signs rhat I taught him because he can't talk yet. He is 18 months and can sign two word sentences . However, I have always spoken the word along with signing it. And I speak to him ALL the time! I am constantly talking to him, asking hom qurstions, giving him directions. He has shown me how smart he is and that he can follow sirections and understand So much just from the use or listening to me and being anle to communicate with me.
There would have been so many times that I would have missed him being hungry/thirsty, being finished pottying (yes hes almost potty trained, we did EC),or finished eating or when he wanted to play outside etc...
I would have never known he wanted those things.
I am all for signing WITH speaking to the child. And I beleive tou can't for e them to talk any sooner than they are capable, so there is mothing wrong with doing signs until then (with speaking them to the child) .

[Cradle2crayons]

I also teach simple sign language to my daycare kids. The main two I think it benefits are my two that are under two. They sign for hungry, drink, tired, play, book, etc. about ten things total. Half of them feelings like happy, sad, upset, etc. neither children are extremely verbal yet but are developmentally on track for their age group. I've been watching both of these girls for about four months and I can tell you, it is already making a difference. Neither get frustrated when they need something.

Of course, some may argue it has no real benefit, but certainly wouldn't think it could hurt. Knowledge is power right?