They say signing is bad for my grandson....

stormysmom4

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My grandson is 19 months, and a little slow in his speech. The doctor said learning sign language is not good for his speech development. Because he is not saying as many 2 word phrases as he should, they think he's slow, and because they think he's slow, sign language would not be good. I very much disagree!

His parents taught him to sign more (along with cookie, and another word or two that didn't stay with him). That was cool and all, but when I had him, I went nuts trying to figure out what he wanted, when he signed "more". EVERYTHING was "more"! I didn't know if he wanted more water, milk, crackers, cereal, toys, or what! So I made him sign what he wanted. It took a few times, but he caught on pretty fast. Now I pretty much sign everything to him. Of course, I say it too, but we can pretty much understand what he wants most of the time.

Two of my children had verbal apraxia when they were little, and we used ASL with them. My son graduated speech therapy in 2nd grade, and my daughter just graduated in 5th grade. I guess I'm venting because they think signing is taking away from his speech. I'm very frustrated right now. If he wants to sign, what is wrong with that? Is it just because he can hear? Because he technically don't have specific speech problem? I believe ASL is a wonderful language for those who are Deaf and hearing. I've seen it used with non verbal Autistic children, so why can't my grandson use it? This crazy world we live in. Sorry to vent, but thanks for listening.

Oh, by the way, I guess I'm a bad grandma, because I will NOT stop using ASL with him or his sister! :shock:
 
I completely agree with you. I use sign language with my daughter. I'm trying to learn more to continue teaching her, but the doctors told me the same thing. She has a speech delay and her speech therapist said that ASL would be great, but then when I mentioned it to her doctor, he said the same thing, that it wasn't a good thing to teach her sign language. Which was stupid because in the last six months that I've been working more with her learning ASL, her speech has increased so much that she has graduated from her speech therapy. It has even helped with a tick that she had in the nerve in her hand.

Sorry I seem to have gone on a tangent as well. Hehe.
 
Tangents are good. ;) I think I'd agree with the speech therapist before the doc. I mean, the therapist specializes in speech, where as the doc, well, specialized in everything else. Lol. Best of luck to teaching your daughter more. I think ASL is an incredibly beautiful language, plus, you get to talk when you're supposed to be quiet. Hee hee

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exactly. We could have conversations about things without my mom knowing what we're talking about. I fell in love with ASL when I started watching a series on ABC Family. I'm hoping to learn more than I have and to practice it. I also would love to learn more about the culture, but there aren't any deaf community events where I live.
 
I fell in love with sign language as a kid, but never had the chance to really learn until recently. I found a church down the street that teaches ASL, then the director of Deaf ministries at the church I attend started teaching a few of us ASL through worship songs. I love signing songs! I have been given two awesome opportunities to learn ASL, and I plan on diving deeper into Deaf Culture. Where do you live?

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At your grandson's age, kids need LANGUAGE period. No matter whether it is visual/spatial or oral. You're doing the right thing by what you are doing. So what if he doesn't develop great speech, at least with ASL he will have developed language in another way.
 
My son has used ASL since he was old enough to do so, he has trouble with his speech due to the fact he broke the 4 front uppers off on a metal desk and had to have them surgically removed ( broke off at the roots) so he is in speech theraphy and graduating next month,,, but ASL has never hindered his speech, it did help us understand him better as he couldnt say the words right and got frustrated. He already spells and writes as well, counts and basic math, he is really smart and advanced thanks to special apps and educational channels we get as well.
 
It does not make sense for hearng kids to learn BOTH ASL and speaking. So Deaf kids are entitled to learn BOTH ASL and speaking.

I am an ASL user. If it were my kids, who are Deaf. I would have them to learn BOTH.
 
It does not make sense for hearng kids to learn BOTH ASL and speaking. So Deaf kids are entitled to learn BOTH ASL and speaking.

I am an ASL user. If it were my kids, who are Deaf. I would have them to learn BOTH.

Exactly.
 
I'm from a remote part of North Carolina. I go to a very small church called The Great Commission Outreach, but we don't have any members who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing, but I was talking to my pastor the other day and she mentioned that she had a friend, Ms. Malick, who was going to come to the church but was hesitant because there isn't anyone who can sign well enough to interpret for her. Another church member said she would do her best to learn as much as she could before she comes and I suggested that we set up a screen on the wall behind the pastor so that I can type what she is saying and it show up there. I'm wandering though if Ms. Malick will be offended by that or if she will be ok. I want her to feel welcome.
 
That would be really awesome if you could start doing that. Who knows, maybe it could turn into something big. Then, when you learn enough ASL, you could interpret the message.

Sent from my ALCATEL ONE TOUCH Fierce using AllDeaf App mobile app
 
Language is language in whatever form it takes. If ASL helps your grandson communicate, then his parents may need to find new providers, if they can, for a second opinion.


Sarah, hearing mom to Deaf teen (CI, pretty good spoken language user, enthusiastic ASL student)

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