Communication Challenges
Language and communication skills in children with Down syndrome typically develop slower and are often significantly delayed. Students with Down syndrome often have difficulty:
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Possible Reasons for Communication Challenges
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Sign Language
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What Is It?
Prior to the development of speech, sign language can be used as a transitional communication system. Sign language involves the use of visual gestures and signs.
Sign language builds receptive language and early communication in a visual way. Sign language is believed to reduce frustration and challenging behaviour as well as facilitate positive interactions that promote speech development. Once students acquire oral words, signs can be faded out. |
The Purpose & Benefits
• Helps children to learn and understand words
• Sign language supported programs help children with Down syndrome develop larger vocabularies • Enables effective communication and reduces frustration • Signs build a link to speech and are often needed less as children learn to talk • An effective aid for learning how to say words orally |
How to Use It
Sign language in the classroom:
Basic ASL 100 first signs http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pageslayout/concepts.htm |
References
Clibbens J. (2001) Signing and Lexical Development in Children with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 7(3);101-105. doi:10.3104/reviews.119
Dunst, C.J., Meter, D., Hamby, D.W. (2011). Influences of Sign and Oral Language Interventions on the Speech and Oral Language Production of Young Children with Disabilities. Center for Early Literacy Learning, 4(4); 2-20.
Dunst, C.J., Meter, D., Hamby, D.W. (2011). Influences of Sign and Oral Language Interventions on the Speech and Oral Language Production of Young Children with Disabilities. Center for Early Literacy Learning, 4(4); 2-20.