[Linny]

Hello all,
I have a question for some of you that are probably more experienced than I about these specific special needs. I think I know the answer to my question, but just hoping for some input from those of you who've BTDT already.

I'm familiar with ASL---I was initially going to be a deaf ed teacher when I was finishing my first two years of college. (I registered with a college dealing with this specialty, then decided to go ahead and get married instead!). During my two years in college, I worked with a classroom of deaf preschoolers. The teacher and I were very close and I also took a couple of classes in ASL back then too. (Many years ago) I still have my big book of signing, etc.....

Our youngest baby is 8months old. She is having an ABR next month as her hearing is not consistent. I, along with the Birth-Three folks have suspected some hearing loss all along. But, because she suffers from hypotonia....any imitation sometimes takes longer, or makes it very difficult to do and I question her ability to reciprocate in the actual signing.

Mentally---at this point, she seems 'normal'...but the weakness in her hands, arms makes it difficult to even think about imitating signing. While she's progressing with the hypotonia....I"m not so sure as to when we should start using consistent signing---right away---or just what?
Thanks for any input.

Sincerely,

Linny

[aspenhall]

I would start with simple stuff right away, and use a pecs chart to supplement, keep speaking as well.

Do all three until she is able to sign consistently.

The Pecs chart will probably help most.

[Barksum]

Oh, right away. Even if she can't imitate initially she can still be learning. We were told to sign and speak with our speech delayed child just as a way to help learn the signs and the mechanics of communication. (Reciprocity of conversation, that things have names, that ideas can be expressed, emotions, etc.)

Friends of a friend were both deaf and signed not only to each other but to their infant child. The infant was able to sign in sentences by something like 8 or 9 months. Anyway, the point is that stuff had to be sinking in even before the baby had voluntary movement. I say go for it.

[athikers]

Interestingly, the founder of Signing Time has a second daughter (her first daughter is deaf, hence the videos) who is physically disabled. But she is able to sign (and now talks) despite what her doctors thought. She has CP among other diagnosis.

So, I would say to try it. My son has mild tone issues and just because of his age his signs are not "perfect" but he is well understood.

[lazshay]

My daughter has mild cp and has learned to sign well. She has a bilateral hearing loss. She signed her first word around her first birthday or so. We picked a few signs we wanted her to learn and used those. She happened to like the lights on the christmas tree and that was her first sign (light). Her speaking and sign vocab is so amazing right now that she almost didn't qualify for the deaf ed preschool.

[Linny]

Thank you ALL for your responses...and anyone else that posts after this, I thank you as well.

I have two very good signing books...one that's like a dictionary I bought while helping with the preschool deaf class many years ago: Signing Exact English. The other is a put together book by a northern school district. I picked it up at some garage sale, I'm sure; still another is one that's very old---yet simple.
A few weeks ago, I was at the mall and found on the clearance rack a small book with an enclosed CD....called something like, "Teach your baby to sign". My sister has adopted a special needs baby (now just over a year old)...and so, knowing she could DEFINATELY use it, I purchased it for her. Great. Tonight, I went back to the mall to buy a copy just for us: It's sold out and it can't be ordered---so I was told. (I have yet to check on this online.) However, it WAS on clearance and priced at only $3 or 4.00. Can't argue with that.
Has anyone found a really good book for baby signing that would have a CD as well? I know. I have the big books already; but thought having a CD would help jump-start things....depending on whether we'll need a lot of signing or not. My elementary aged girls are very happy to get started on this...they were before (we homeschool) but NOW, since they might have to use it with their baby sister----THAT'S SO COOL to them! LOL
Most of us think the baby DOES hear SOMETHING.....but it seems to be vague. The ABR test will surely tell us one way or the other.

Again, that's for sharing your wisdom...

Sincerely,

Linny

[Barksum]

Signing Time available by Googling 'signing time'. I've found the book "Teach Your Baby to Sign" from one of my homeschool supplies ( Timberdoodle Co - Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Program, Resources, Education, Homeschooling Materials & Books ) and they also sell the Signing Time DVDs for $21.00. Timberdoodle also sells stickers for teaching sign.

[athikers]

Signing Time videos come in a variety of forms, including "baby signing time". They are not inexpensive, but they way they teach the signs has been GREAT for my son (and daughter).

[devildogwife]

Originally Posted by athikers

Signing Time videos come in a variety of forms, including "baby signing time". They are not inexpensive, but they way they teach the signs has been GREAT for my son (and daughter).

Baby signing time has been great for Cameron too. He doesn't have any hearing loss, but has a very difficult time forming words due to his vocal cord paralysis and some lung issues. He has a few partial words (sounds really) that he says but quite a few signs. Probably around 20 or so. He picked up SO many signs very quickly once we started baby signing time. It's easy for him and us.

[Linny]

Thanks again to all! We homeschool (I've homeschooled all of our children--at least for a few years for a long time.)....and, Timberdoodle was always one of my favorite catalogs to get! Last year, we just started homeschooling the little ones we have at home now. I'm going to check out their website. I'm anxious to get this ABR done just so we'll have some answers, KWIM?

Sincerely,

Linny

[Barksum]

Linny, I hear you about the ABR. (No pun intended...) We were SO glad to finally get all the screening done and get some answers. Ours turned out to not be a hearing issue, 'just' a significant speech delay. It was still a big relief to have some answers.

Timberdoodle is my favorite homeschool supplier. CBD ( Homeschool Curriculum - Christianbook.com ) sometimes has the odd bits that I'm looking for that Timberdoodle hasn't had. Oh - that site also has some ASL stuff you might check out. http://www.christianbook.com/Christi...p&Ntk=keywords

[irelady10]

My son's daycare shows the Signing Times videos and he learns SO many signs! I get a big kick out of the fact that he is 1 year old and REALLY learning in school! I have used signs with him since he was a few months old; when he finally "got" signing, around 12 months, it was amazing to see!

I have no experience with special needs kids and signing, but would think that using ASL as early as possible is advantageous.

BTW- my class also learns ASL as their foreign language and they watch the Signing Times videos. They are fun and catchy videos.

[Kelly Rae]

Our lille G has been involved with our local child development center since she came home to us, because of her prematurity which puts her at high risk for developmental delays. They got hearing and vision consultants from the local deaf and blind school and she has qualified for their program. This is big because they have ordered special equipment (light therapy box, special toys, ect) and will be teaching all 10 of us ALS. It is my understanding we will be taught twice weekly and we will have excess to videos and books all free. If you child fails the ABR test you will be provided all kinds of services. You might look into early childhood intervention as they can coordinate these services.

[Linny]

...You might look into early childhood intervention as they can coordinate these services.

We've been enrolled with EI since we brought her home. We also had the pleasure to deal with them for two of our other babies for various reasons. They've been wonderful, that's for sure!

Sincerely,

Linny

[Nevada Jen]

ASL and the signs you use with toddlers are different. I do not think they signs that they learn on Signing Time will actually translate to ASL but I could be wrong.

I would reccomend starting now. You EI folks should be pretty on the ball with that. At least you can do the sign for "more" when you are feeding her as a starting point. If she is going to have small motor issues signing will probably not be the best solution for her and by about 18 months you probably want to have an assistive technology evalaution through EI to get her started on some electronic communication system.

I suspect you will find out there is nothing wrong with her hearing and its just that other tasks that we take for granted (like holding your head up when someone is talking to you) are very taxing for her so she "spaces out" sounds.