Guest guest Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 can you please email me with more info on the pre sign program. we are having the same difficulty with signing. thanks rita rlavendar@... To: autism-georgia From: walkman975@...Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:49:44 -0400Subject: sign language I have found that individuals with autism have difficulty learning sign language due to their motor planning issues. So I created a program called Pre-Sign that helps our children acquire better motor-planning before they initiate sign. Then I introduce the actual signs in a certain way that shapes the sign much in the way we shape verbal word approximations as well as introduce signs in a sequential manner to take the motor planning issues into consideration. This type of approach has worked wonderfully with my own son, who is a good signer, as well as many children that I have worked with. Herskowitz, MA CCCvalerieherskowitz.com McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn “10 hidden secrets” from . Learn Now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I would also love to get more information on the pre-sign program...my son has difficulties with his fine motor skills, so traditional sign language probably will not work for us. Thank you so much! Krisc2262@... e sign language I have found that individuals with autism have difficulty learning sign language due to their motor planning issues. So I created a program called Pre-Sign that helps our children acquire better motor-planning before they initiate sign. Then I introduce the actual signs in a certain way that shapes the sign much in the way we shape verbal word approximations as well as introduce signs in a sequential manner to take the motor planning issues into consideration. This type of approach has worked wonderfully with my own son, who is a good signer, as well as many children that I have worked with. Herskowitz, MA CCCvalerieherskowitz. com McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn “10 hidden secrets” from . Learn Now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 signingonline.com is a website avail. You key in the word and a lady shows you how to sign it. Subject: Re: sign languageTo: autism-georgia Cc: "Matt work" Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 6:45 AM I would also love to get more information on the pre-sign program....my son has difficulties with his fine motor skills, so traditional sign language probably will not work for us. Thank you so much! Krisc2262cox (DOT) net e sign language I have found that individuals with autism have difficulty learning sign language due to their motor planning issues. So I created a program called Pre-Sign that helps our children acquire better motor-planning before they initiate sign. Then I introduce the actual signs in a certain way that shapes the sign much in the way we shape verbal word approximations as well as introduce signs in a sequential manner to take the motor planning issues into consideration. This type of approach has worked wonderfully with my own son, who is a good signer, as well as many children that I have worked with. Herskowitz, MA CCCvalerieherskowitz. com McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn “10 hidden secrets” from .. Learn Now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I have not seen that problem at all. I will be talking about this issue at the TACA meeting on Saturday. We find that if a child does have motor movement issues, we modify the signs and later shape them. We have found that kids are most likely to learn signs in the context of the motivation. Basically they are most likely to learn the sign language movement when they are motivated for the item in that moment, than they are to learn the sign during just teaching imitation (not in the context of the motivation for the item). The first signs taught cannot be labels (i.e., teaching " what is this? " ). First signs should not be " more, please, thank you, yes/no, bathroom, etc. If anyone wants more info on this, I'd be more than happy to send the " long version " of this. Shauna > > I have found that individuals with autism have difficulty learning sign language due to their motor planning issues. So I created a program called Pre-Sign that helps our children acquire better motor-planning before they initiate sign. Then I introduce the actual signs in a certain way that shapes the sign much in the way we shape verbal word approximations as well as introduce signs in a sequential manner to take the motor planning issues into consideration. This type of approach has worked wonderfully with my own son, who is a good signer, as well as many children that I have worked with. > > Herskowitz, MA CCC > valerieherskowitz.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 please send me the info. it would really help rita rlavendar@... To: autism-georgia From: autism24@...Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:34:21 +0000Subject: Re: sign language I have not seen that problem at all. I will be talking about thisissue at the TACA meeting on Saturday. We find that if a child does have motor movement issues, we modify thesigns and later shape them. We have found that kids are most likelyto learn signs in the context of the motivation. Basically they aremost likely to learn the sign language movement when they aremotivated for the item in that moment, than they are to learn the signduring just teaching imitation (not in the context of the motivationfor the item). The first signs taught cannot be labels (i.e., teaching "what isthis?"). First signs should not be "more, please, thank you, yes/no, bathroom,etc. If anyone wants more info on this, I'd be more than happy to send the"long version" of this. :)Shauna>> I have found that individuals with autism have difficulty learningsign language due to their motor planning issues. So I created aprogram called Pre-Sign that helps our children acquire bettermotor-planning before they initiate sign. Then I introduce the actualsigns in a certain way that shapes the sign much in the way we shapeverbal word approximations as well as introduce signs in a sequentialmanner to take the motor planning issues into consideration. This typeof approach has worked wonderfully with my own son, who is a goodsigner, as well as many children that I have worked with. > > Herskowitz, MA CCC> valerieherskowitz.com> When your life is on the go—take your life with you. Try Windows Mobile® today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 We started with " I want _____ " Being able to get what you want is a great motivator. > > > > I have found that individuals with autism have difficulty learning > sign language due to their motor planning issues. So I created a > program called Pre-Sign that helps our children acquire better > motor-planning before they initiate sign. Then I introduce the actual > signs in a certain way that shapes the sign much in the way we shape > verbal word approximations as well as introduce signs in a sequential > manner to take the motor planning issues into consideration. This type > of approach has worked wonderfully with my own son, who is a good > signer, as well as many children that I have worked with. > > > > Herskowitz, MA CCC > > valerieherskowitz.com > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 I am interested in learning more about your program. Dionne Park Sign Language Hi Shauna,Some of what you are saying is true-that children learn "language" when they are motivated-as you can see, I am substituting the word language for sign language. When we teach other forms of communication that don't involve complex motor planning, ie: PECS, dedicated voice output systems, this premise is very correct. And of course, once we get into the actual sign language training, we incorporate motivation. But that said, sign language and verbal speech for that matter, involves motor planning-and children with autism unfortunately often display issues with motor planning which we call dyspraxia in this context. So just using the motivational technique alone doesn't always work as efficiently as pairing it with a strong motor planning program. I am not saying that some children won't ever learn sign language without motor planning, but many children with autism who have struggled with learning sign just using motivational techniques or others who are very limited in their signs do greatly benefit from going through a strong motor planning program.I am planning to do a webinar on this program. If anyone is interested in attending, please e-mail me privately. Thank you. Herskowitz, MA CCC-SLPvalerieherskowitz.com McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 I don't know how to email you privately, , but I am also interested in learning more about the pre-sign technique you have developed. I am interested in your webinar. Please include me in that list. TWBloomers@...Michelle Sealey Hi Shauna, Some of what you are saying is true-that children learn " language " when they are motivated-as you can see, I am substituting the word language for sign language. When we teach other forms of communication that don't involve complex motor planning, ie: PECS, dedicated voice output systems, this premise is very correct. And of course, once we get into the actual sign language training, we incorporate motivation. But that said, sign language and verbal speech for that matter, involves motor planning-and children with autism unfortunately often display issues with motor planning which we call dyspraxia in this context. So just using the motivational technique alone doesn't always work as efficiently as pairing it with a strong motor planning program. I am not saying that some children won't ever learn sign language without motor planning, but many children with autism who have struggled with learning sign just using motivational techniques or others who are very limited in their signs do greatly benefit from going through a strong motor planning program. I am planning to do a webinar on this program. If anyone is interested in attending, please e-mail me privately. Thank you. Herskowitz, MA CCC-SLP valerieherskowitz.com McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now! -- Sealey, Director and " Dream Coach " -Tupperwarehttp://my.tupperware.com/MSEALEY --Directors live the life of their dreams. " Imagine...Life on Your Terms! " http://tupperware.epromos.info/english.htm " The first person you lead to success is Yourself. " - Maxwell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I guess I'm going to have to agree to totally disagree with you on this one. All children learn language through motivation, otherwise there would be no reason to communicate at all. I can actually say that in the MANY nonverbal children with Autism that I have worked with, I have not ever been unable to teach them to use sign language (of which many go on to be vocal communicators). It's all about motivation. We have several children at Summit who communicate with OVER 100 signs. When I say they are communicating, these students are actually approaching adults, getting their attention, and signing independently to them (without the adult asking " what do you want? " or asking them a question first). Our goal is for the learner to talk FIRST (i.e., they can spontaneously ask for something without the adult first asking " What do you want?). We use errorless teaching, so that our students do not get frustrated when learning to request (i.e., we prompt them to sign and quickly fade out prompts). Simultaneously we will work on fine/gross motor skills and even target some of their current signs, to shape them up, however the child is less motivated in this context because the motivation is not as strong as when they are in the moment of wanting something. We would never first teach them to imitate the signs, out of the context of requesting because of the motivational factors. You're just more likely to learn a motor action in the context of requesting then in just straight imitation. We believe the same is true for teaching PECS or voice output. You're more likely to learn how to pick out the picture when the motivation is strong for that item. We would not teach someone first to " point to " the items and then later use them for requesting. Instead, in the moment they are motivated for that item, we would prompt them to point to the picture. I totally agree that children with Autism have motor planning issues and we work with children who have dyspraxia, with a lot of success. In fact many children we see who have been diagnosed with dyspraxia, sometimes don't even have these issues at all, they've just been misdiagnosed. The biggest predictor of success that we see in working with children who have Autism is motivation. If you can find the things that motivate them, you can take off. Shauna > > Hi Shauna, > > Some of what you are saying is true-that children learn " language " when they are motivated-as you can see, I am substituting the word language for sign language. When we teach other forms of communication that don't involve complex motor planning, ie: PECS, dedicated voice output systems, this premise is very correct. And of course, once we get into the actual sign language training, we incorporate motivation. > > But that said, sign language and verbal speech for that matter, involves motor planning-and children with autism unfortunately often display issues with motor planning which we call dyspraxia in this context. So just using the motivational technique alone doesn't always work as efficiently as pairing it with a strong motor planning program. I am not saying that some children won't ever learn sign language without motor planning, but many children with autism who have struggled with learning sign just using motivational techniques or others who are very limited in their signs do greatly benefit from going through a strong motor planning program. > > I am planning to do a webinar on this program. If anyone is interested in attending, please e-mail me privately. Thank you. > > Herskowitz, MA CCC-SLP > valerieherskowitz.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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