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I would think that would, if anything, further delay speech; why would they be motivated to speak if they can (continue to) get their needs and wants met without speaking?
That's a fair question, and I don't have an answer to that. But I've known a few mothers who've taught even their babies some sign language, and it works. (shrugs shoulders.) It seems to cut down on a lot of frustration for both the mom and the child.
Even before sign language became trendy, I knew mothers who simply GAVE their kids everything they could possibly want or at least constantly asked, "Do you want this? Do you want that?" All they had to do was shake or nod their heads. If there's a delay, I'd think you'd incentivize speaking instead of making it easy not to.
I would think that would, if anything, further delay speech; why would they be motivated to speak if they can (continue to) get their needs and wants met without speaking?
Just as children can easily learn multiple spoken languages when their minds are especially plastic, teaching a child to sign while continuing to speak and interact with them doesn't slow them down much if at all when it comes to the acquisition of language.
The key is to teach them how to sign while at the same time letting them hear and see others speak; encouraging them to "use their words" as developmentally appropriate rather than say, letting them point at the object of whatever has taken their fancy or preemptively giving them said object without having them make the effort to verbally communicate their wishes.
I would think that would, if anything, further delay speech; why would they be motivated to speak if they can (continue to) get their needs and wants met without speaking?
The use of sign language has proven to be beneficial for children in a wide variety of settings. Teaching sign language to preverbal babies has proven to benefit children in their later years. Research shows that sign language speeds up speech development, reduces frustration in young children by giving them a means to express themselves before they know how to talk, increases parent-child bonding, and lets babies communicate vital information, such as if they are hurt or hungry.
Here are some reasons and ways for using sign language to assist with speech development and hearing challenges.
Improve communication. When signing, body language is used and an array of emotions can be more clearly expressed and understood. For instance with the sign for “mad,” the face is scrunched up with the hand in a front-facing claw position.
Reduce frustration. For those who may have hearing-impairment or speech and/or learning challenges, sign language offers the opportunity to be more communicative.
Increase brain functionality. Studies show that sign language increases brain activity. A Study by Capirici, Cattani, et. al. found that learning sign language could actually improve cognition (intelligence) in typically developing, hearing children.
Start with meaningful signs. Signs like “eat,” “drink,” “potty,” “tired,” “all done,” “friend” and “stop” help with functional communication.
Use signs in context. When someone is eating, introduce the sign for “eat,” so they understand the action and the sign that goes with it.
Vocalize when signing to encourage speech. Try to use signs to support speech and language development, not as a substitute for speech. Always speak and sign.
Decrease yes/no questions. Instead of asking, “do you want milk?,” offer a choice. For instance, “do you want water or milk?,” signing and saying both words. Wait for a response.
Show it, Sign it and Say it. Some people may not remember the label or action when it’s only signed and spoken. The person stands a better chance of understanding the sign and the word in context if visually shown the object. Say the name and demonstrate it in sign language:
If he is, it's not profound autism & the quicker he gets evaluated & services in place, the better chance he has for growth & development.
My son has "classic" autism. Regressive, severe autism.
He developed normally & was very interactive & using words up until 2 days after his 2nd birthday. He got a fever that night (many here know why) & got really fussy. Started screaming. His words started sounding like a deaf person who "mouths" words while they sign. His voice had that odd, flat tone. He developed a strange, sandpaper, bright cherry rash on his cheeks & a look of abject fear in his eyes. Like he knew. He knew his body & mind has been injured & he was trapped in it.
By 2.5 years he was completely "feral". Head banging, howling, screeching, angry, would put his toys in a pile & crawl into them, covered his head with a blanket to rock & scream. Shelves with "things" on them would go crashing to the floor. Sofas & tables would be toppled. He'd try to get to a door to run & I'd sit there for hours just trying to block him while he'd crash into me over & over. Actual gates, bolted into the wall would be torn out, leaving a drywall rubble on the stairs. Had to take out the railing & build a wall. He'd slam himself into glass windows trying to break out. Like he thought he could outrun whatever was attacking him. By age 4, his autistic meltdowns would literally shake the house so hard you could hear it a block away with the windows closed.
After a LOT of research I decided to NOT treat with psychotropic medications & we hit a period of growth around age 10, when he found some words & finally graduated from diapers. Then came puberty & a complex interaction between hormones & neurotransmitters caused the aggression to flare.
He is now a 6'5", 318 lb teenage male with a natural form of Roid Rage. This is profound autism & this is my life. He's been diagnosed with PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) which means his autism was induced by an atypical immune mediated response & treatment is geared towards reducing neuroinflammation.
If your nephew starts showing any behaviors like what I described above, he needs not only the evaluation & early childhood intervention for autism but an evaluation by an Immunologist or Neurologist who specializes in PANDAS/PANS to get the most help available.
If he is, it's not profound autism & the quicker he gets evaluated & services in place, the better chance he has for growth & development.
He developed normally & was very interactive & using words up until 2 days after his 2nd birthday. He got a fever that night (many here know why) & got really fussy. Started screaming. His words started sounding like a deaf person who "mouths" words while they sign. His voice had that odd, flat tone. He developed a strange, sandpaper, bright cherry rash on his cheeks & a look of abject fear in his eyes. Like he knew. He knew his body & mind has been injured & he was trapped in it.
I am very sorry to hear.
My husband's coworker's son had exactly the same experience.
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