Why Learn Sign Language?
Many
infants, who are exposed to sign language before six months of age, often
develop cognitive skills at an earlier age. These babies will begin signing on
their own sooner than normally expected. They will also sign with a larger
vocabulary. It is almost like turning on a switch when a child connects signing
and the need or object the sign represents. Like learning to talk, developing
communication skills only makes a human being want to find additional ways to
expand that ability. That is true for infants also. This is one huge reason why
signing babies tend to talk sooner than non-signing babies.
Children with Special Needs: Who Benefits?
Sign
language is typically only thought of in the context of the deaf community and
children with hearing impairments. However, there are multiple populations and
contexts in which sign language is beneficial.
Some of
these include children with special needs such as:
- Apraxia
- Autism
- Cerebral
Palsy
- Communication
Impairments
- Down
Syndrome
- Deafness/Hearing
Impairment
- Language
Learning Disability (LLD)
- Various
Learning Delays
- Medical
non-verbal needs, i.e. tracheotomy
- Varying degrees of mental impairment
My child has special needs. What are the benefits of using sign language?
Research
indicates multiple advantages for development in children with special needs.
The development of speech, language, social, emotional and academic skills is
enhanced through the use of sign language.
- Learning
Signs - Speech and Language Benefits
Sign language accelerates the acquisition of speech by stimulating areas of the brain that are associated with speech and language. Babies develop the gross motor skills needed for signing before they develop the fine motor skills associated with verbal speech. Signing provides language stimulation and
conceptual information that
special needs experience difficulty with expressive language and verbal ability. Sign language gives
these children access to communication while strengthening the ability to
produce expressive speech.
• Special
Needs - Social Benefits of Sign Language
Children with special needs often experience frustration when communication becomes difficult. This frustration manifests itself in the form of temper tantrums, aggression, depression and other socially unacceptable behaviors. Sign language reduces frustration by providing a way to expressively communicate in situations where verbal communication may not be successful. Sign language breaks down communication barriers for children with various disabilities and needs.
• Emotional
Benefits - Sign Language
By expanding vocabulary and social opportunities, sign language naturally enhances self-esteem. Children who face communication barriers benefit greatly when they are provided with various accesses to language and learning. These children develop better communication skills through sign language and are consequently happier and more independent.
Children begin to develop language from the time that they are born. The brain begins to make
connections through auditory and visual input. Children with special needs often have one or more
impairments that affect normal development in the brain. Sign language essentially jump-starts the
areas of the brain that are linked to speech and language development. Language is a primary building
block for learning and academic development. Sign language stimulates intellectual development and
helps children to retain information longer because it supplements speech input. Using many modes
of input strengthens connections in
the brain and therefore benefits academic development.
As soon as possible! Babies develop language and knowledge from stimuli in their environment
beginning from birth. Research has shown that babies develop the fine motor skills needed to form speech at approximately one year old. The gross motor skills needed for sign language develop months earlier. The frustration for most parents of children with special needs is that identification often does not occur this early. Signing with your baby regardless of special needs is a most wonderful idea; and,
it is never too late. As soon as a child is identified with a special need, sign language can immediately
be used to provide numerous developmental benefits. Who else utilizes sign language for its magnificent benefits? Sign language is becoming more widespread in the United States. It is commonly being used
in homes across
the country with hearing, hearing impaired and special needs family members. It
is commonly thought that sign language is only for the Deaf community, but this
is not true! The benefits of sign language are
in various educational settings. It is used not only in deaf education classrooms,
but also in special education classrooms and preschool classrooms. It is also
used in unconventional settings such as hospitals.
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Many hospitals find sign language to be useful with both adult and pediatric patients that have a communication barrier, such as a tracheotomy. The benefits of sign language are so great that it is increasing in popularity in a variety of contexts!
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Should I Sign With My Special Needs Child?
Ultimately the decision to sign with a special needs child is up to the parent alone. The most important thing a parent should keep in mind is that these children often need input from multiple modalities. These modalities can be visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Sign language is a wonderful and beneficial
tool for providing visual benefit in addition to verbal/auditory input. When there is a deficiency in one area, such as language learning disorder, one modality can provide a foundation for the development
of another. Sign language can scaffold the acquisition of speech-language development as well as
social and academic
