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
Learn 2 Sign
info@learn2sign.ca
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