Should I use sign language with my child?
A (Very) Brief History of the Use of American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language is a robust manual (signed with hands) language with a complex grammar system. ASL is the primary language used by Deaf people in the United States. When considering whether or not to teach your child sign language, it’s important to understand that ASL is the language of an entire culture of Deaf Americans. Sometimes Deaf children are restricted from accessing ASL because of the pressure to speak verbally, which may result in language and cultural deprivation.
ASL for Hearing Children
Over many decades of research in bilingualism, which includes ASL and verbal languages, specialists now understand that learning more than one language does not create language delays or disorders. In fact, learning more than one language can strengthen the ability to learn future language and give children a “leg up” in critical thinking skills.
In recent years, it has become almost trendy to teach hearing children ASL or simplified, English-influenced signs (called “baby sign”). But it’s important to understand the cultural appropriation involved in teaching ASL to hearing children, especially when Deaf children may still be discouraged from accessing what is often regarded as their natural or birthright language. (Follow @Language1st on Instagram for more information)
ASL for Children Diagnosed with Language Disorders
When a child is diagnosed with a language disorder, speech-language pathologists often suggest using signs to help your child communicate before they are ready for verbal communication. I often get asked by parents whether the use of ASL makes talking more difficult for children. Luckily, there is no research to suggest that introducing signs makes a child less likely to learn verbal language. In fact, for children diagnosed with language delays or disorders, studies have found that children who receive intervention with simultaneous sign language and verbal input had an increase in verbal and oral language skills.
In my clinical practice, I have observed that when signs are modeled with verbal language for children with language delays or impairments, the children can learn to use the signs to communicate before they are ready for verbal communication. This reduces frustration for both the child and the parents.
Should I teach ASL to my child?
It depends on the purpose of teaching ASL to your child. Deaf children should have access to ASL. It’s important that parents of hearing children understand the complex history of cultural appropriation associated with teaching hearing children to sign. There is no research to suggest that learning ASL would cause a hearing or Deaf child to experience delay or disorder in spoken/verbal language. In fact, research suggests that bilingualism strengthens language and thinking skills and that children with language delay or disorder tend to improve their verbal language skills as they learn signs.
ASL at Home offer a high-quality family curriculum if you are interested in resources to help your family learn ASL.
Want more information about speech-language therapy for children with hearing loss or speech-language disorder? Contact me for more information about how and when to introduce signs with your child or schedule an appointment or free consultation online now. Looking for more resources for helping your young child learn to talk? Check out my self-paced online training course for parents!
Resources:
Fitzpatrick, E. M., Thibert, J., Grandpierre, V., & Johnston, J. C. (2014). How HANDy are baby signs? A systematic review of the impact of gestural communication on typically developing, hearing infants under the age of 36 months. First Language, 34(6), 486–509. https://doi.org/10.1177/0142723714562864
Lederer, S. H., & Battaglia, D. (2015). Using Signs to Facilitate Vocabulary in Children With Language Delays: Infants & Young Children, 28(1), 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1097/IYC.0000000000000025
Leech, E. R. B., & Cress, C. J. (2011). Indirect Facilitation of Speech in a Late Talking Child by Prompted Production of Picture Symbols or Signs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 27(1), 40–52. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2010.550062
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, 1–20.
Wright Courtney A., Kaiser Ann P., Reikowsky Dawn I., & Roberts Megan Y. (2013). Effects of a Naturalistic Sign Intervention on Expressive Language of Toddlers With Down Syndrome. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 56(3), 994–1008. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2012/12-0060)
