Originally Posted by Bear

Thank you for clearing that up Cheri and you are right that I do feel speech is just as important as signs.

However, I feel signs should not be stopped at all. I feel sign should be used AS WELL AS speech at least in the early years. This helps to foster a enviroment for the child, to be able to clearly understand all that is going on around the child. I would say at least until a child reaches a point where they can understand what each word means and sounds like, then sign should be used alongside speech.

Was that clear? Or am I going every which way there? lol not sure!

But my belief is to foster comprehension of the written English it helps to be able to speak it. Otherwise, I see that child writing in ASL more than English.