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