Sign Language in Children with Communication Disorders

 One in ten Canadians has a speech, language or hearing problem. A child should use 200 or more words by the time they are 2-3 years old and by the age of 4 ½ their vocabulary should consist of approximately 2000 words. These numbers appear to be large but we must consider the average person acquires 10 000 words in their lifetime. Most speech and language disorders are not diagnosed until the child is school aged. Common disorders in children are:

• Articulation Disorders (omitting, substituting, or distorting language sounds) examples include a child saying “Wabbit” instead of “Rabbit
• Voice Problems (Clarity, Volume, Pitch)
•  Stuttering (Hesitations, Syllable or word reputations and restarts)
• Language Difficulties

  Other disorders such as Downs Syndrome, Autism and Apraxia of speech can cause speech and language difficulties in children.

  Autism is a brain disorder which adversely affects behaviour, social skills and the ability to communicate. Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., from the Center for the Study of Autism, writes: "Many aberrant behaviors associated with autism and other developmental disabilities, such as aggression, tantrumming, self-injury, anxiety, and depression, are often attributed to an inability to communicate to others. Signed Speech may, at the very least, allow the person to communicate using signs and may stimulate verbal language skills. When teaching a person to use sign language, another possible benefit may be the facilitation of their attentiveness to social gestures of others as well as of themselves." Teaching Autistic children sign language can provide communication in cases where the child has not been to develop oral communication.

  Children affected with Downs Syndrome are slower to develop speech and language skills. Teaching Sign Language, along with verbal reinforcement, is shown to improve the communication skills of children with this disorder. Researchers are emphasizing to use to total communication (Simultaneous use of sign language and speech) to assist in the development language skills.

  The benefits of using sign language in babies in not limited to those with communication and developmental disorders. Sign language in pre-verbal babies boasts great advantages including reduced frustration, increase in self-esteem, increase in IQ by 10-12 points, increase speed of spatial reasoning, introduction of language, and promotion life-long literacy. Sign Language classes can help parents and caregivers establish routines and strategies that are proven to assist in language development in all children. For more information on the benefits of Baby Sign Language and Classes please visit www.learn2sign.ca

Shawneen Lenane


Learn 2 Sign

www.learn2sign.ca

info@learn2sign.ca

The Benefits of Sign Language in Pre-verbal Babies

  Before a child can properly vocalize their needs and wants they must master very complex actions in the muscles in their faces. These actions include the placement of tongue, formation of the lips, shaping of their nasal passage, controlling of the vocal chords, and breathing and regulation.  Every one of these actions develops independently and is not mastered until an infant is well into their year. This means that a child will go through their year or so not being able to communicate specific needs and wants. Often mothers are keen to the needs of their own child through a special bond, but can a mother be expected to know what an infant needs or wants 100 % of the time?

  Research has shown that the use of Baby Sign Language in pre-verbal infants boasts incredible benefits including putting these babies on the fast track to life-long literacy.

   

• Baby Sign Language gives your baby the ability to express specific needs and wants
• Promotes the development of language skills
• Reinforces language skills already developed
• Reduces frustration at not being able to express ones needs
• Increases speed of spatial reasoning development
• Develops understanding of language for communication of emotions
• May increase child’s IQ by up to 10 points
• Creates feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment
• Teaches a second language that is nationally recognized
• May increase creative thinking
• Increases early literacy skills
• Reduces unexplainable emotional outbursts
• Teaches babies how to initiate and contribute to a conversation

  Additionally Signing babies have been known to speak earlier than non-signing babies, develop a larger vocabulary, and become better readers. The benefits of teaching your baby sign language are outstanding to say the least. Providing a communication rich environment for your little one helps in the bonding process for all caregivers involved. This shows baby that you value them as a person and that they have important ideas, wants and needs.

Shawneen Lenane

Learn 2 Sign
info@learn2sign.ca
www.learn2sign.ca

"We Need Each Other"

A grade six pupil at Robarts School for the Deaf in London, Ontario is concerned that she will have to move again to pursue a deaf education if the school is closed. A recommendation from Economist Don Drummond to close the school was made last week. The recommendation was one of 300 aimed at combating a $16 Billion provincial deficit.

this 11 year old's concern caused her to write a letter to Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek. In her letter she expresses her pride in deaf education and her battle with Mainstream school. "I fell like I really belong at Robarts because there are deaf staff and students". She wrote. "When I was in mainstream school (regular school) I only had to friends because everyone thought I was weird because I had hearing aids... I got C's and D's because I was very angry, sad, depressed and because I could not understand my teachers". She continues to explain that she is concerned about losing her small community of friends if they have to move to pursue education options.

There is no doubt that the closure of this school will result in lack of accessibility to those deaf, hard of hearing and persons with special needs. Deaf people have fought so hard to be treated as equal to the hearing and this will be a huge blow.

More information and updates on this letter and the recommendation to close Robarts School for the Deaf can be found in the London Free Press.

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/02/16/19391411.html

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/02/21/19406936.html

Sweet Signs for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Learn 2 Sign

In celebration of the sweet holiday I have outlined my 4 favourite “Sweet” signs. Some of these signs have been my all-time favourite for years! These signs can used to express your love or fondness to all special ones in your life! Valentine’s Day is for all the people you love!

I LOVE YOU- There are 2 ways to represent “I LOVE YOU”. Number 1 is to point to yourself (Representing I), then cross both arms over your chest (As if you were giving a tight hug), and finally point to your loved one (Representing YOU). The second way to represent “I LOVE YOU” is to hold your dominant hand upright with Thumb, Index, and Pinky finger extended.

SWEETHEART- This sign became an immediate favourite the day I learned it as a child! Hold 2 fists together on your chest in front of your heart with knuckles touching and Thumbs extended upwards. Squeeze both thumbs downward twice (Representing a heart beating).      

KISS – Touch Thumb to all 4 fingers on both hands and hold them together in front of your body. Twist both hands in opposite direction.

CUTE/CUTIE – Hold Index and Middle fingers up together with knuckles pointing outward. Bring hand up to the chin and sweep fingers downward twice. 

5 Free Things to do with yours kids in London, Ontario

Well Christmas and New Year’s break is now over and the excitement has wined down. Now what? January and February are the two hardest months for many. Let’s face it Christmas is over, it’s cold and gloomy outside and March break seems like ages away. Fortunately London does offer some great places and activities for free or nearly free! Below our top 5 activities to keep you going until the spring and summer months come to the rescue and offer us those dog days of summer we all dream about!

1)      London Children’s Museum( Free Friday Admission)

The London Children’s Museum does require a membership fee or fee per visit but they are currently offering FREE Friday evening admission between 5-8pm. The Children’s Museum is the perfect why to play, learn and wear out your little ones before the weekend! Some of my favourite exhibits are Jellyfish Junction, Dinosaurs, Arctic Discovery and the limited time Egypt of the Nile.

www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca

2)      The city of London runs an outdoor skating program each year. I have been skating at these 2 London locations for as long as I can remember. I remember skating at Victoria Park amidst the holiday display, buying a hot chocolate and watching other skaters when I felt like my feet were going to fall off! Victoria Park and the Covent Garden Market locations have specific hours of operation. Be sure to call ahead for closures due to weather!

519-661-4529

3)      The London Public Library offers many different activities for children of all ages. One particularly interesting program is Storytime. Storytime has different sections based on the children’s age group (Books for Babies, Storytime, and Family & Friend Storytime). The focus of this program is to introduce reading a lifelong practice.  All programs are free and each branch has their own schedule. Check your location for times and dates!

www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/kidsprograms

4)      Kidscape is an amazing indoor playground offering stories of fun, mazes, slides and excitement. There is a fee to play at kidscape but you sign up their FREE BIRTHDAY PASS. This will allow your birthday child entry for free!

www.kidscape.ca/registration

5)      The Little Gym is a great way to play, interact and get your baby moving! They offer great parent/child classes that teach you and your little ones about Bugs, Birds, Beasts and Super Beasts. The Little Gym also charges a fee for services but do offer a free introductory class.

www.thelittlegym.com/LondonSouthCan/Pages/Trialclass.aspx

Pick one these activities each week and it will spring before you know it! Allow your child to be a part of planning these activities and ask what they thought about it afterwards. This will get you and child talking about what interests them and what doesn’t. You might be surprised at what you learn! Be sure to contact each company prior to visit to be sure they are still offering these activities and services

Baby Sign Language: Introduce Language to Your Infant

 Baby Sign Language has gained popularity in recent years as a way to introduce language at a younger age. Studies have suggested that Baby Sign Language can positively impact an infant’s language, physical and social development. While natural language development begins at birth, an infant lacks the muscle strength necessary to develop and pronounce words. The development of these muscles continues into the toddler years and limits an infant’s ability to properly vocalize their needs or wants. Motor function development occurs much earlier in the hands and body. Baby Sign Language has proven to be an effective method for allowing any infant to better communicate their wants and needs at a younger age.

  While the idea of a baby communicating and signing is great, the long-term benefits of an infant signer are outstanding! Babies who sign are less likely to throw tantrums or experience low self-esteem as their attempts to communicate are recognized, understood and reinforced. The use of Baby Sign Language reduces the frustration experienced by both infant and caregiver when an infant cries for something or for some reason. Even more interesting is that is use of Baby Sign Language as a mode of early communication can increase a child’s IQ by up to 10 points, increase language and communication skills, and promotes learning through concepts. Babies who sign have been known to have better learning and reading skills, talk at a younger age, begin to use complex sentences at a younger age and use a wider vocabulary.

 Many parents ask, what is the best technique for introducing Baby Sign Language to an infant? Repeat, repeat, repeat! Signing and saying a word before, during and after an event will have your infant understanding signs and signing back to you in no time. It is important to be consistent with signing and reinforce any attempt your baby has made to sign. Much like any new skill your baby will develop, it requires practice to get it perfect. Most Baby Sign Language instructors agree that starting your infant with one or two specific signs is best. Slowly introduce more as they become more interested in signing. Soon your baby will experience a “signing explosion” where they start signing new words almost immediately!

  Learn 2 Sign uses Baby Sign Language classes to bringing early development strategies into you and your infant’s lives. Through games, songs and play you and your infant will learn ways to communicate while building a lasting bond. Baby Sign Language classes at Learn 2 Sign are just the beginning to lifelong learning!

London, Ontario Santa Claus Parade

Well Halloween is over and now it’s time to gear up for Christmas! What better way to jump into the Christmas spirit than with a Santa Claus Parade! Each year thousands line the Streets of downtown London with little ones all bundled up to see if they can catch a glimpse of the big guy himself. Who is the big guy? Well Santa Claus, of Course!

Each year the parade offers new and exciting floats to capture the spirit of Christmas. Keep a look out for dancers, clowns, firefighters, and elves! This year’s Parade will also feature Baton Twirlers, Stilt walkers, the Town Cryer, Dora the Explorer and Santa Claus. As usual Santa’s little helpers will be there to collect letters to Santa! Have your little write Santa a letter and Address is to: Santa Claus, The North Pole, HOH OHO.

Each year the Santa Claus Parade collects non-perishable food items for those in need this holiday season. They also collect teddy bears for the Salvation Army and donations for various charities in London. Please donate! Everyone’s small donation helps create a Christmas to remember for all of London’s families. Last year 14, 742 lbs of food was collected in London!

This year’s Annual Santa Claus Parade offers a great and memorable experience for your little ones. Pack them up with warm coats, hats, and gloves. Don’t forget an umbrella for rain and hot chocolate and snacks for the kids! Please be kind and allow little ones in front, do not smoke in the parade line and consider others around you!

Have a great time!