Is your child late to talk? Have you ruled out any possibility of hearing loss? Does he clearly understand much of what you say but is unable to speak yet?
As parents we are right to be concerned when our babies do not reach their developmental milestones.
First may I say that the majority of parental concerns will turn out to be delayed speech, meaning that the child understands. is unable to express himself but will catch up in time.
A number of children however, will have very specific speech and language disorders, may not understand much of what they hear and will go on to need very specialist support and education. It is therefore vital that parents do express their concerns to a relevant health professional.
As our hearing baby grows and develops, we agonise over whether or not his lack of speech sounds, words and phrases is normal. Does he have difficulties expressing himself and will he be understood by others outside the home environment?
With speech therapy waiting lists growing ever longer it is worth being alert and doing as much as you can to give your baby the best possible start in communicating effectively. In parts of Ireland for example in November 2009 average waiting period for assessment was 17-22 months while the waiting time for treatment was 24–32 month. Similar statistics are reported in other parts of the UK, in America and Australia too.
The particular difficulty with baby milestones, however, is that they provide only a rough guide to what is ‘normal’ or average development. Each child is unique and there may be many other factors to take into account, so they are open to interpretation. Support for chidren experiencing speech and language difficulties will also be influenced by funding issues among service providers. Understandably, there is no endless pot of money and they have to prioritize access to their services.
Is Baby Signing Right for You and Your Child?
My frustrations may have been obvious recently when my niece referred to her 22 month old son saying ‘He doesn’t talk yet.’
I suggested that she use baby sign language to encourage communication. she laughed out loud dismissing the idea saying, ‘I’ve heard that it will stop him talking?’
I guess it was not an enlightened audience, even though she knew my background as a very experienced Special Education Teacher.
On the contrary, baby signing helps babies to talk. Evidence shows babies whose parents use signing with them go on to develop a richer and more diverse vocabulary than those who don’t. Baby signing develops both verbal and non-verbal communication. It is more than just about articulating speech sounds.
Children know their own abilities and limitations and will use signs differently. Some will use a few signs for just a few weeks as they practice, develop and gain confidence in their own ability to talk. Others will be content to employ them for longer, usually alongside their developing speech, until the point at which they are fully confident.
Most children will drop the signing when they become confident speakers and children with additional needs may continue to use signing for a little longer.
My 18 month old grand-daughter only ever used one sign, and used it until she was three. Her very stubborn streak prevented her from vocalising the word ‘please’ so there were some battles between her and mum when she requested things. She was delighted to be shown the sign for please and it became an automatic reaction that she used adoringly and to good effect from then on.
Important Facts about Baby Sign Language
Signing with hearing babies is always accompanied by speech and normal conversation. Only keywords are signed, in the same way as a parent ordinarily emphases vocabulary when speaking to their baby or toddler.
Signs are formalized gestures that convey meaning between the parent and child. These signs will likely be the closest approximation he can manage of the sign you taught him, given his age and developing body awareness. You will come to know the subtleties, and be able to clarify the meaning with your child. All this leads to better communication between you.
Signs are made in front of the body, thereby drawing attention to the face, to overall body language (non-verbal communication) and to the purpose of communication.
Signs may come from Makaton, baby sign language, ASL, BSL or the equivalent in your country. If your child attends preschool or nursery then familiarise staff with the signs your child understands or uses.
The gestures that make up baby sign language are pretty obvious really and you’ll find you and even your teenagers already use many of them.
On a more personal note…
As kids we thought nothing of using signs for tea, coffee, yes, no, drink, telephone, dinner, OK, stop. We all worked in the family timber yard where you could not hear or be heard above the sound of the circular-saw benches and chopping machines. We never thought of it as sign language but effective communication …. and we never wore ear defenders in those days!
We all want the best possible start for our children. Don’t delay your child wants to communicate and needs you now.
Still got nagging doubts, then get some answers at http://happinesspages.com/baby-sign-language-FAQ.html
Pauline worked for 15 years as a specialist peripatetic teacher with families and children with special needs. To find out more about the benefits of baby sign language, visit http://www.happinesspages.com/baby-sign-language.html