Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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