Reply to Seeking advice on sign language for mostly non-verbal ASD son

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As an SLP who has worked with children with ASD for a long time, I commend you on looking for ways to supplement your child's ability to express himself. Have you talked to your SLP about this? For some of my students, sign language is the way to go; for others, picture cards/PECS or a speech output device are extremely helpful. There are many steps in between signing and typing that might be able to augment your son's communication. There are also quite a few apps for the ipad or a phone that couple pictures with words and use voice output to support his verbal development. It's hard to get into specifics without knowing more about him-how is his hand/finger coordination? Is he able to scan a busy page in a book to identify a picture? Is he more visually motivated or movement motivated?

[b]In regard to sign language, you would start at the single word/sign level, and potentially progress from there. Very few children with ASD progress to becoming fluent signers, in my experience, so signed English is not the way I would go. There can be confusion with word endings in signed English that you don't find in ASL. [/b]I would recommend that you take an ASL class-they have them at Montgomery college in that area, as well as Gallaudet, obviously. You would then pick a few signs to teach. Starting with one or two and progressing from there once he has the idea of it, and always coupling the sign with the word. Then the movement becomes associated with the word, and some children find it easier to say. Technology often becomes more helpful for them later than signs if they find verbal speech difficult.

Again, though, I would talk to your SLP about this. She might have some good insights and help for you to support his learning. Good luck![/quote]

This is not accurate. Sign language really doesn't concern itself with word endings. It's more of a summary of a sentence that signers do. They all leave a lot of stuff out.
Our ASD child is well on his way to good fluency with signing. We are learning from a certified signing teacher. I would not recommend looking up signs on the Internet or with your SLP unless it's supplemented with lessons from a fully trained sign language teacher.

SLP s always have the idea that signs are a temporary stop for kids on their way to speech but if your kid is not progressing is highly recommend sign language lessons from a signing language professional and not an SLP.[/quote]

That was in reference to signed English, not ASL. ASL does not use word endings and has its own grammar that is somewhat similar to shorthand of an English sentence, which is why I would recommend that for someone just starting out. I've been signing for a long time and I adore it, but I do try to be reasonable about my expectations-all kids are different. I'm so pleased that your child is doing well with signs.[/quote]

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