RE: Yet another sign language post...

[Guest guest]

I too was very hesitant about sign language - it represented in my mind

that there was really something " wrong " with my son (still hoping he was

" just a late talker " etc). But we purchased the signing time videos and it

was actually fun to learn some simple (but key) sign, and my other children

picked it up quite quickly. I echo the benefits re: decreased frustration.

It was wonderful to give him the ability to communicate - something he

desperately wanted to do. My 2 year old has over 100 signs (picked up in 2

weeks). Now that he is starting to vocalize - the sign continues to help. An

unexpected bonus is that I often can't understand what it is he is trying to

say (though he is trying so hard), and having him sign the word has actually

helped me work with his speech. Once I know what he is trying to say, we

work on getting the word to an approximation that may be understood next

time. He improvises with his signs to get across a concept rather than a

word. For example he started to say " paa " . I had NO IDEA what that was (but

happy to hear a " p " since we had been working on that for a while), and he

kept repeating it (starting to get upset that I couldn't understand)...and I

asked him if he knew the sign. He thought for a minute, then signed " drink "

and then set his one hand onto the other (like placing down a cup after a

drink) that I immediately realized it was cup. He was so happy I understood

him (and gave him a cup).

Sign is completely worth the invested time and you will have immediate

positive feedback from a typically apraxic child. I was wishing we had

started it sooner. And now that I understand what apraxia means and what I

need to do to help my son, I am also less frustrated. -

[ ] Yet another sign language post...

a, (and all)

I have to add my 2 cents on this topic, for it is near and dear to my

heart. We started signing to my our daughter Abby, when she was

22months and in EI. I first thought this was " crazy " I want her to

speak with her mouth! However the frustration level in my house was

through the roof. She was frustrated that she couldn't tell me

she " more, drink, et " And I would be upset that I couldn't figure it

out, and that she couldn't " tell " me. After we learned a few signs to

stop the vicious cycle, things got much better.

Abby is now 4.6 years old. Today her signing vocab is probably around

200 signs, she can string them together to make 3-4 " word " sentences.

Her verbal abilities unfortunately do not compare. However she is

slowly making progress. She can consistently verbalize 2 word

utterances. We are working hard on 3 words.

What I want to stess in my post is, Abby is now starting to finger

spell!! Again, I have to go backwards to sort of " fill you in " on her

progress with this. Just this past August-Sept, she did NOT have any

letter recognition!!! Not-a-one! The first week of Sept, she started

2 pre-schools. Her primary pre-school through the local SD, 5 days a

week for 2 1/4 hours. I also enrolled her in a local in-town

preschool for 3 days a week at 3hours a day. And when she came home,

we did more " fun " learning. However in Novemeber, she had pdd-nos

added to her dx, and also had her IEP changed to a full day program

through the local SD, ALTHOUGH SHE IS NOT in an autistic classroom.

She is to " high-functioning " in comparison to the other students.

I've noticed this past month she can recognize ALL her ABC's in

written form and in ASL. Although she can not yet write them all

herself. However she can write about 10 letters. But she can sign

them, and is now finger spelling words. Example, " MOM, DAD, ABBY,

ICE, DOG, and CAT "

I just find this absolutely wonderful, that she is making a

connection between the letters and words. By no means am I saying

that she will be " rocket scientist " I know we still have a

very " rough road " ahead of us. But I am so hopeful for her, and more

confident that she will successful.

a if you would like to help your daughter/ and grandchild with

learning sign. I HIGHLY suggest getting the " SigningTime " video

series. There are also lots of websites out there that gives you

video clips on signs.

Good luck to you and your family!

Dawn in NJ