i work with a 10 yr old boy with downs within a mainstream school and we also attend a special needs school one morning a week. i have never had any formal sign training, just picked it up along the way.
i have some sheets of practical makaton signs such as basic nouns/pro nouns/adjectives/social and phrases etc, that i was given when i first started 2 yrs ago, i would be more than happy to email them to you if you like??
yay something special is the best. I think it's important for everyone to know at least basic sign language so you can always at least have some understanding of everyone
I work with Autistic Adults and one problem we have is that time has been wasted teaching them signs like please, thank-you and good which, while pleasant, don't tell us what they want. Noun signs should be taught before abstract ones.
Im not sure on the order that signing should be taught, however i believe it should be based on the individual, there is no point teaching a person signs for art, for example, if they hate art and like gardening.
We certainly tailor the signing to the childs needs and intrests here.
i have the privilidge to be working in a special needs school. i cannot emphasise enough how important makaton is in the development of our children's language skills. as a child i was an 'elective mute'. i was too shy to speak except with people i knew well. makaton would have changed my life if it had been around then,so i really relate to our children's difficulties. i hope it makes me a better learning support assistant.for all you astrologers i have saturn conjunct mercury in my 3rd house!!
Yeah, signing is great. I didn't have a speech delay, but speech has always been difficult for me, and when I was little, maybe 6 or 7, and I would borrow this big book of signs from the library, and I learned them and language became a lot easier for me (I tend to think with motion, images, rhythms, so I think it helped bridge between my thoughts to being able to translate into language). It's too bad I don't remember any, though I still watch Signing Time when I can catch it.
I signed until the age of 3, when I first spoke. I still sign today. I have heard the reason why my parents did that was because through signing, the theory went, came language.
There are many studdies that back this up. My eldest only signs some words when he is talking to others that sign where as to us he will say them much more clearly than he ever could before.
Ahh, like me :) I hope they're doing well Mrs Michelle. Thanks for talking to me again, you're a wonderful friend. I have mentions of this "talking/signing" in a song, a very old one, I'll post it as a response someday (aaaaaaaaargh)
I think it depends on the individual. Ezra uses PECS, and that is related to the visual schedules they use at school, as well as some communication devices. He knows some signs, but mainly receptively. My older son has Downs, which brings in some speech difficulties. He has been able to use ASL signs to clarify his expressive and receptive language.
My children use both PECS & sign language i think its important to remember as all children are different they will respnd to things in different ways.
PECS & Signing have both helped in my case, but in different ways.
hi, hope the class was a success?! :)
i work with a 10 yr old boy with downs within a mainstream school and we also attend a special needs school one morning a week. i have never had any formal sign training, just picked it up along the way.
i have some sheets of practical makaton signs such as basic nouns/pro nouns/adjectives/social and phrases etc, that i was given when i first started 2 yrs ago, i would be more than happy to email them to you if you like??
let me know :) kelly x
twinklyfairypants 2 years ago
yay something special is the best. I think it's important for everyone to know at least basic sign language so you can always at least have some understanding of everyone
youlovemesomuch 2 years ago
I work with Autistic Adults and one problem we have is that time has been wasted teaching them signs like please, thank-you and good which, while pleasant, don't tell us what they want. Noun signs should be taught before abstract ones.
What do you think?
edders2009 2 years ago
Im not sure on the order that signing should be taught, however i believe it should be based on the individual, there is no point teaching a person signs for art, for example, if they hate art and like gardening.
We certainly tailor the signing to the childs needs and intrests here.
Happyautism 2 years ago
i have the privilidge to be working in a special needs school. i cannot emphasise enough how important makaton is in the development of our children's language skills. as a child i was an 'elective mute'. i was too shy to speak except with people i knew well. makaton would have changed my life if it had been around then,so i really relate to our children's difficulties. i hope it makes me a better learning support assistant.for all you astrologers i have saturn conjunct mercury in my 3rd house!!
lillith886 3 years ago
Yeah, signing is great. I didn't have a speech delay, but speech has always been difficult for me, and when I was little, maybe 6 or 7, and I would borrow this big book of signs from the library, and I learned them and language became a lot easier for me (I tend to think with motion, images, rhythms, so I think it helped bridge between my thoughts to being able to translate into language). It's too bad I don't remember any, though I still watch Signing Time when I can catch it.
AuRatio 3 years ago
Good for you, learning signs with your kids! I don't know if I could manage it as a class (social anxiety mainly)
We have learned many signs appropriate for children's lives through DVDs called Signing Time. We own some, and borrow others from the public library.
wiscsuzski 3 years ago
Class was good, 21 people teachers and parents.
I really pushed myself to go, i worry alot :D
Happyautism 3 years ago
I signed until the age of 3, when I first spoke. I still sign today. I have heard the reason why my parents did that was because through signing, the theory went, came language.
Serge165 3 years ago
There are many studdies that back this up. My eldest only signs some words when he is talking to others that sign where as to us he will say them much more clearly than he ever could before.
Happyautism 3 years ago
Ahh, like me :) I hope they're doing well Mrs Michelle. Thanks for talking to me again, you're a wonderful friend. I have mentions of this "talking/signing" in a song, a very old one, I'll post it as a response someday (aaaaaaaaargh)
Serge165 3 years ago
thank u very much I am walid from egypt work in school for mental handicappied children .
u so beatiful I hope to be your fried .
could u give me your mail pls .
in your opinion what is better for autistic children communicate with PECS or with sign language.
alfankosh 3 years ago
I think it depends on the individual. Ezra uses PECS, and that is related to the visual schedules they use at school, as well as some communication devices. He knows some signs, but mainly receptively. My older son has Downs, which brings in some speech difficulties. He has been able to use ASL signs to clarify his expressive and receptive language.
wiscsuzski 3 years ago
I agree.
The boys use PECS happily at school but arent intrested at home.
Happyautism 3 years ago
My children use both PECS & sign language i think its important to remember as all children are different they will respnd to things in different ways.
PECS & Signing have both helped in my case, but in different ways.
Thank you for watching.
Happyautism 3 years ago