Re: question for older CHARGErs

[Guest guest]

There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

learning.

No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

Kim L

question for older CHARGErs

I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

understand?

I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

Information will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

learning.

No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

Kim L

question for older CHARGErs

I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

understand?

I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

Information will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

learning.

No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

Kim L

question for older CHARGErs

I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

understand?

I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

Information will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

Michele,

I can't speak to signing. and I stopped signing when she was about 4.

Once the trach was out we concentrated on oral communicaiton.

I can speak to the speech. When I met Aubrie at the conference I could, for

the most part, understand her. She sounds much like did at 5 years old.

And I am sure at 6 years too. I spent years helping repeat sounds and

words and insisting that she repeat things when she got just plain lazy. She

was released from speech in 4th grade at the age of almost 11 because she had

learned as much as possible about producing speech sounds. Her ENT agreed it was

" as good as it was going to get. "

Her speech is still unusual due to vocal chord damage from repeated ET tubes

etc. She took it upon her self in 5th and 6th grades on up to make herself

understood. Teachers throught 12 grade always said that " once they got used to

it, there was no problem. and she is always willing to repeat herself if

needed " .

has accepted the fact and is very patient with listeners. ( Not so

with mom sometimes ) It's a CHARGE quality I am sure. She will always

have to repeat herself. Sometimes her speech is just too soft. Sometimes the

combination of words has difficult sounds for her to produce. She has also

learned to look straigh at listeners. Sometimes, ordering food for example, I

or for example will have to repeat what she says to the server. Especially

in noisy places. She just accepts it, even though it's hard to do.

The other day she was trying to spell a doctor's name for me over the phone.

Not fun. She finally used the " b as in boy " idea.

She has found a way to make it work, other wise she wouldn't have a 2.8 GPA

as a college sopomore.( Please understand I don't mean to brag) Just remember,

where there is a will there is a way!!!!! I am sure Aubrie has the will and

will find the way.

When was little we had lots of friends that let her " practice " speech.

She trusted them enough not to get hurt by them not understanding. She called

her Grandma on the phone for practice and eventually she could be understood. It

took a long time. We recorded her reading orally and she listened to herself.

When she couldn't understand her self she sometimes was angry but usually was

determined to " fix it "

PS. 's handwriting isn't the best either. Her short fingers don't help

it but they sure don't slow down her typing skills. She is a wiz on the

keyboard, allbeit, not the standard method. I am all for computer use. Have

you tried Write Outloud. It speaks what you type.

Blessings and Hugs,

Lynn

question for older CHARGErs

I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

understand?

I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in the

CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

Information will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

Ok- lots to think about. If Aubrie's speech improves enough for her to

use it for everything, then we just have the issue of the written school

work. I too am pro-technology. I am struggling to find a curriculum to

teach her the computer skills she needs. The school is working on

computer, but without a real plan for doing it. I have a kids' writing

program that reads your typing as or after you write it. I haven't

heard of Write Outloud, but I'll look into it.

Thanks for the encouragement of 's history.

Michele

[Guest guest]

Kim is right. When I was younger people had a hard time understanding me, and

when I got older I learned more about myself - how my mouth moved, the words

formed, how the words came out, and what was going on when I talked. Pretty soon

I taught myself what I was doing wrong and corrected it. Afterwards my speech

improved, and now people do understand me.

It takes time but eventually she will get there, and one day in the future you

will realize she was able to have a conversation with a stranger without needing

your help and guidence. Because of you she will eventually get there.

Sincerely yours; Krista Bach.

kim lauger wrote:

There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

learning.

No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

Kim L

question for older CHARGErs

I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

understand?

I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

Information will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

Kim is right. When I was younger people had a hard time understanding me, and

when I got older I learned more about myself - how my mouth moved, the words

formed, how the words came out, and what was going on when I talked. Pretty soon

I taught myself what I was doing wrong and corrected it. Afterwards my speech

improved, and now people do understand me.

It takes time but eventually she will get there, and one day in the future you

will realize she was able to have a conversation with a stranger without needing

your help and guidence. Because of you she will eventually get there.

Sincerely yours; Krista Bach.

kim lauger wrote:

There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

learning.

No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

Kim L

question for older CHARGErs

I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

understand?

I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

Michele W

mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

Information will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

Krista-

Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. It is such a

struggle to figure out how to proceed. Do you write or type most of

your written expressive work?

Michele W

[Guest guest]

Krista-

Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. It is such a

struggle to figure out how to proceed. Do you write or type most of

your written expressive work?

Michele W

[Guest guest]

Krista-

Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. It is such a

struggle to figure out how to proceed. Do you write or type most of

your written expressive work?

Michele W

[Guest guest]

I do both - write and type. But I prefer to type then to write. It's easier, and

you can erase the spelling mistakes easier. If you are going to be attending the

CHARGE Conference in Toronto this November, then you will have the opportunity

to meet me in person.

Sincerely yours; Krista.

Michele Westmaas wrote: Krista-

Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. It is such a

struggle to figure out how to proceed. Do you write or type most of

your written expressive work?

Michele W

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in the

CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005. Information

will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may contact

CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

I do both - write and type. But I prefer to type then to write. It's easier, and

you can erase the spelling mistakes easier. If you are going to be attending the

CHARGE Conference in Toronto this November, then you will have the opportunity

to meet me in person.

Sincerely yours; Krista.

Michele Westmaas wrote: Krista-

Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. It is such a

struggle to figure out how to proceed. Do you write or type most of

your written expressive work?

Michele W

Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in the

CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

please contact marion@... or visit

the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

7th International

CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005. Information

will be available at our website

www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may contact

CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

[Guest guest]

Amen! It's a pleasure to see this idea presented for clearly. Martha

>

> There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

> no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

> learning.

>

> No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

> express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

>

> Kim L

>

> question for older CHARGErs

>

> I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

> CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

> handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

> poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

> Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

> have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

> understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

> sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

>

> BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

> unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

> guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

> others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

> understand?

>

> I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

> communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

>

> Michele W

> mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

>

>

>

>

> Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

> the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

> For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

> Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

> please contact marion@... or visit

> the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

> at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

> 7th International

> CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

> Information will be available at our website

> www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

> contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

> www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Amen! It's a pleasure to see this idea presented for clearly. Martha

>

> There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

> no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

> learning.

>

> No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

> express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

>

> Kim L

>

> question for older CHARGErs

>

> I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

> CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

> handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

> poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

> Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

> have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

> understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

> sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

>

> BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

> unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

> guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

> others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

> understand?

>

> I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

> communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

>

> Michele W

> mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

>

>

>

>

> Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

> the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

> For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

> Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

> please contact marion@... or visit

> the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

> at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

> 7th International

> CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

> Information will be available at our website

> www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

> contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

> www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Amen! It's a pleasure to see this idea presented for clearly. Martha

>

> There is no reason not to accept sign " approximations " anymore than there is

> no reason not to accept an approximation to a spoken word as someone is

> learning.

>

> No not everyone will be able to understand it, but the fact that she can

> express it to anyone is a start and you build from there.

>

> Kim L

>

> question for older CHARGErs

>

> I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

> CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

> handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting is

> poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her body.

> Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her. They

> have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

> understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with using

> sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

>

> BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

> unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak. So I

> guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

> others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends) can

> understand?

>

> I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

> communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

>

> Michele W

> mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

>

>

>

>

> Membership of this email support groups does not constitute membership in

> the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

> For information about the CHARGE Syndrome

> Foundation or to become a member (and get the newsletter)

> please contact marion@... or visit

> the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web page

> at http://www.chargesyndrome.org

> 7th International

> CHARGE Syndrome Conference, Miami Beach, Florida, July 22-24, 2005.

> Information will be available at our website

> www.chargesyndrome.org or by calling 1-. In Canada, you may

> contact CHARGE Syndrome Canada at 1- (families), visit

> www.chargesyndrome.ca, or email info@.... Thank you!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Krista-

Unfortunately, Toronto is out of our realm of possibilities this year.

I forget, will you be in Miami? Gosh, it may be that Toronto is

actually closer for me (in Illinois) now that I think about it. Oh

well, Nov is definitely out of the question. But I would very much like

to meet you someday. Do you have photos posted to the Yahoo site? I

haven't figured out how to access it yet, but I could work on it.

Michele W

[Guest guest]

Krista-

Unfortunately, Toronto is out of our realm of possibilities this year.

I forget, will you be in Miami? Gosh, it may be that Toronto is

actually closer for me (in Illinois) now that I think about it. Oh

well, Nov is definitely out of the question. But I would very much like

to meet you someday. Do you have photos posted to the Yahoo site? I

haven't figured out how to access it yet, but I could work on it.

Michele W

[Guest guest]

Krista-

Unfortunately, Toronto is out of our realm of possibilities this year.

I forget, will you be in Miami? Gosh, it may be that Toronto is

actually closer for me (in Illinois) now that I think about it. Oh

well, Nov is definitely out of the question. But I would very much like

to meet you someday. Do you have photos posted to the Yahoo site? I

haven't figured out how to access it yet, but I could work on it.

Michele W

[Guest guest]

Michele,

I know we have spoken of this before but I thought I would post to

the list.

What you describe for Aubrie's fine motor abilites are as if you are

describing . Only does not have the loose joints. It

was felt early on (by the professionals) that would not have

the coorditnation to sign so it was not taught.

When offered sign language years later, the professionals had the

same opinion. She would not be successful because she would not be

able to form signs appropriately. picked up on it quickly

and is showing that it is her preferred method of communication. I

sometimes have a difficult time understanding her signs because she

learns signs at school and my vocabulary is still limited. However,

those who are fluent in sign are able to pick up on what she is

saying. Her classmates didn't have any trouble with her signs

either. Not every sign is perfect, but at least she has a way to

communicate.

Good Luck!

Sheryl

Mom to Mitch 18 & 17 CHARGE

> I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

> CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

> handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting

is

> poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her

body.

> Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her.

They

> have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

> understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with

using

> sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

>

> BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

> unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak.

So I

> guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

> others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends)

can

> understand?

>

> I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

> communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

>

> Michele W

> mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

[Guest guest]

Michele,

I know we have spoken of this before but I thought I would post to

the list.

What you describe for Aubrie's fine motor abilites are as if you are

describing . Only does not have the loose joints. It

was felt early on (by the professionals) that would not have

the coorditnation to sign so it was not taught.

When offered sign language years later, the professionals had the

same opinion. She would not be successful because she would not be

able to form signs appropriately. picked up on it quickly

and is showing that it is her preferred method of communication. I

sometimes have a difficult time understanding her signs because she

learns signs at school and my vocabulary is still limited. However,

those who are fluent in sign are able to pick up on what she is

saying. Her classmates didn't have any trouble with her signs

either. Not every sign is perfect, but at least she has a way to

communicate.

Good Luck!

Sheryl

Mom to Mitch 18 & 17 CHARGE

> I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

> CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

> handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting

is

> poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her

body.

> Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her.

They

> have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

> understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with

using

> sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

>

> BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

> unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak.

So I

> guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

> others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends)

can

> understand?

>

> I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

> communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

>

> Michele W

> mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

[Guest guest]

Michele,

I know we have spoken of this before but I thought I would post to

the list.

What you describe for Aubrie's fine motor abilites are as if you are

describing . Only does not have the loose joints. It

was felt early on (by the professionals) that would not have

the coorditnation to sign so it was not taught.

When offered sign language years later, the professionals had the

same opinion. She would not be successful because she would not be

able to form signs appropriately. picked up on it quickly

and is showing that it is her preferred method of communication. I

sometimes have a difficult time understanding her signs because she

learns signs at school and my vocabulary is still limited. However,

those who are fluent in sign are able to pick up on what she is

saying. Her classmates didn't have any trouble with her signs

either. Not every sign is perfect, but at least she has a way to

communicate.

Good Luck!

Sheryl

Mom to Mitch 18 & 17 CHARGE

> I have a question for the parents of older CHARGErs and the adult

> CHARGErs on the list. Aubrie has limited fine motor ability. Her

> handwriting is poor, she can't color in the lines well, her cutting

is

> poor, her hands have the same loose joints as the rest of her

body.

> Professionals have used this as a reason to not use sign with her.

They

> have said that she will not be able to sign properly so no one will

> understand her. Has anyone had fine motor issues interfere with

using

> sign language in conversation with other signing peers?

>

> BTW-- My response to this has been that her speech is also

> unintelligible to others, but we don't stop teaching her to speak.

So I

> guess that's another question. How many have developed speech that

> others (strangers like store clerks -- not just family and friends)

can

> understand?

>

> I'm really puzzled as to how to develop an expressive mode of

> communication for Aubrie that equals her intellectual abilities.

>

> Michele W

> mom to Aubrie 6 yrs

[Guest guest]

Michele W,

That is probably the #1 reason (there are others) I pulled Tryny out of the

school system and I home school him myself. Tryny is DEAF and is language is

sign language. He can't hold a writing utensil good enough to print legibly

but can TYPE words on a keyboard. So luckily we have a Developmental

Pediatrician that acknowledges that fact and has written letters attesting to

Tryny's 2

modes of communication, sign language and typing. There are also

communication boards out there that you can program and Aubrie just has to push

a certain

button and it will speak for her. But I would encourage sign language, other

deaf people will accept her limitations and understand her. The

Professionals out there, whether in the school system or the medical field want

to

discourage the use of sign language simply because they " don't understand it and

don't want to try " . That is their stupidity showing. As you can tell, I have a

lot of animosity towards the system, and rightly so. With Zak, he has NO

communication skills at all, neither signing, nor speaking (he has NO vocal

cords),

but he is developing " gestures " which NO ONE else will ever understand but

us. Eventually I will try to introduce the " talking boxes " to him (that's what

I call it) and hopefully that will someday be his voice, but for now we are

encouraging the gestures.

I know I probably haven't been much help, but I do believe that our children

can communicate (even if it's their own way) and that no one should discourage

or try to make them change it. Encourage whatever works for Aubrie as she

will be more comfortable and excel.

Debra

[Guest guest]

Michele W,

That is probably the #1 reason (there are others) I pulled Tryny out of the

school system and I home school him myself. Tryny is DEAF and is language is

sign language. He can't hold a writing utensil good enough to print legibly

but can TYPE words on a keyboard. So luckily we have a Developmental

Pediatrician that acknowledges that fact and has written letters attesting to

Tryny's 2

modes of communication, sign language and typing. There are also

communication boards out there that you can program and Aubrie just has to push

a certain

button and it will speak for her. But I would encourage sign language, other

deaf people will accept her limitations and understand her. The

Professionals out there, whether in the school system or the medical field want

to

discourage the use of sign language simply because they " don't understand it and

don't want to try " . That is their stupidity showing. As you can tell, I have a

lot of animosity towards the system, and rightly so. With Zak, he has NO

communication skills at all, neither signing, nor speaking (he has NO vocal

cords),

but he is developing " gestures " which NO ONE else will ever understand but

us. Eventually I will try to introduce the " talking boxes " to him (that's what

I call it) and hopefully that will someday be his voice, but for now we are

encouraging the gestures.

I know I probably haven't been much help, but I do believe that our children

can communicate (even if it's their own way) and that no one should discourage

or try to make them change it. Encourage whatever works for Aubrie as she

will be more comfortable and excel.

Debra

[Guest guest]

Michele W,

That is probably the #1 reason (there are others) I pulled Tryny out of the

school system and I home school him myself. Tryny is DEAF and is language is

sign language. He can't hold a writing utensil good enough to print legibly

but can TYPE words on a keyboard. So luckily we have a Developmental

Pediatrician that acknowledges that fact and has written letters attesting to

Tryny's 2

modes of communication, sign language and typing. There are also

communication boards out there that you can program and Aubrie just has to push

a certain

button and it will speak for her. But I would encourage sign language, other

deaf people will accept her limitations and understand her. The

Professionals out there, whether in the school system or the medical field want

to

discourage the use of sign language simply because they " don't understand it and

don't want to try " . That is their stupidity showing. As you can tell, I have a

lot of animosity towards the system, and rightly so. With Zak, he has NO

communication skills at all, neither signing, nor speaking (he has NO vocal

cords),

but he is developing " gestures " which NO ONE else will ever understand but

us. Eventually I will try to introduce the " talking boxes " to him (that's what

I call it) and hopefully that will someday be his voice, but for now we are

encouraging the gestures.

I know I probably haven't been much help, but I do believe that our children

can communicate (even if it's their own way) and that no one should discourage

or try to make them change it. Encourage whatever works for Aubrie as she

will be more comfortable and excel.

Debra

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/2004 6:59:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

momonamission@... writes:

> more hearing impaired or if her speech was worse, I would be

> able to get more support for sign

Michele,

I apologize if I gave ill advice or assumptions. I wasn't aware that

Aubrie's hearing and speech were near normal. I must have misread the email

because

I thought her speech was not understandable therefore my advice on alternative

language.

Please accept my apology,

Debra