Articles in the Special Education topic:

The Life Belt of Language: Sign Language for Children with Special Needs Special Animals for Special Children: What Parents Need to Know about Assistance Animals Finding a Job – A Guide for Young People with Special Needs and Their Families Diet and Learning Disabilities Going for the Gold The IEP Workshop: What’s In It For Me (and My Child)? Your Child’s IEP - Keys to Success: Preparation, Involvement and Follow-up Puberty and Children with Special Needs: What Every Parent Needs to Know Full Article Catalog

Title: The Life Belt of Language: Sign Language for Children with Special Needs

Word Count: about 820 words

Abstract:

For a child with delayed speech or other learning disabilities, the use of sign language can empower the child to express wants and needs and improve socialization while they’re learning verbal skills. Find out how signing helps children develop verbal skills, how to determine whether your child could benefit, how to determine what type of signs to use and how to get started.

Excerpt:

Research has shown that speech and language delays and disorders can have a major impact on a child’s social, behavioral and academic development. The use of sign language to help any child with such delays to communicate can provide numerous benefits, says Maureen E. Burnham, MS, CCC-SLP, co-owner of Spectrum Pediatrics in Arlington, Virginia.

“Sign language allows the child with delayed speech or language (or those who are non-verbal) the opportunity to express wants and needs, and to socialize with adults and peers. This empowerment to communicate changes lives,” says Burnham . . .

Recommended Supplements

• Sign Language Resources (about 130 words)