Signing With Your Baby

Written by Monica Beyer


Continued from page 1

3. Userepparttar sign(s) before or duringrepparttar 111659 activity, and show your babyrepparttar 111660 sign every time you dorepparttar 111661 activity.

4. Use your chosen sign(s) until your baby begins to sign back to you, then choose another sign and startrepparttar 111662 process over again. The more signs your baby knows,repparttar 111663 easier it will be for him or her to pick them up.

Some parents have started signing from birth, butrepparttar 111664 parents I've talked to have reported success from six or seven months. It usually takes some time before a child begins to sign back to you. You will probably notice that he or she recognizes and understandsrepparttar 111665 sign before attempting to sign it. For example, I started signing when my son was 11 months old and he first signed back to me five weeks later.

There are many resources online and sign language dictionaries inrepparttar 111666 local library, as well as books specific to this subject.

The key to success is to be consistent, show a smile, applaud your child's efforts and be patient. Someday, you will be attracting attention atrepparttar 111667 mall, too! And you will know so much more about what is going on in your baby's head, and your bond will be that much closer.

Good luck!

Monica Beyer is the mother of two sons and has been signing with her younger son for over 1 year. Visit her website at http://www.signingbaby.com or email her at monica@signingbaby.com


Communicating with your child who doesn't use words to talk

Written by Lisa Simmons


Continued from page 1

#2 - Ideas & Feelings

7. Augmentative Communication Boards - These devices come in an amazing array of shapes & sizes (& prices) and can really allow your child to communicate an awesome variety of messages both practical & more abstract. If you feel like your child is ready for this level of device (a good clue is when they frequently seem to have things to say that they just can't communicate effectively) then there are several things you need to do: „X Find a good speech language pathologist to assist you. „X Have your SLP do a full assessment to determine what type of messages your child needs or wants to send & what types of devices they can operate or learn to operate independently. „X Work with your SLP to narrow downrepparttar number of possible devices to just 2 or 3. If possible try to borrowrepparttar 111658 devices for an in home trial period from a state technology lending library orrepparttar 111659 actual company that sellsrepparttar 111660 device. „X Try to anticipate all of your technology needs up front. Who will train your child to userepparttar 111661 device? Who will programrepparttar 111662 device, both now & as your child's needs change? Who will train your family & other support people in how to userepparttar 111663 device? Who will repairrepparttar 111664 device if it breaks down? Will you need help to fundrepparttar 111665 device? If so, what do you need to do now to obtainrepparttar 111666 funding ? This sounds like a lot of effort & it can be. But if your child truly can utilize a communication device to "find their voice" everything you do will be worth it.

8. Teach typing - This may seem like an old fashioned suggestion, but give it some thought. Whether you use an actual typewriter or teach them to type on a computer keyboard you give them 1 tremendous advantage -- free thought. Your child will be able to say virtually anything (& they probably will!). This approach does not rely on anyone else to select pictures or program phrases. It's all their own creation. One advantage of going withrepparttar 111667 computer keyboard -- there is software available that can anticipate frequently used phrases. This saves valuable keystrokes for slow typists that may have lots to say!

9. Comment Cards - A decided more low key approach is comment cards. These are simply index cards with different comments typed on them in a large size. The cards can be color coded to help kids selectrepparttar 111668 one they one quickly & easily. So,repparttar 111669 red card says "I need a break" &repparttar 111670 blue card says "I want a turn", etc. Comment cards work well for kids who see a lot of different people inrepparttar 111671 course of their day. Even folks they don't know too well will understand a printed message. Communication isn't so secure if they are relying on subtle body movements.

10. Switch activated signals - These signals can be operated a variety of switches that can be geared to virtually any controlled body movement. Signals usually consist of lights, sounds, or vibrations & work well if your child attends group activities where they need to communicate withrepparttar 111672 group leader. Common messages might be, "I'm done" or "I need help with this". Although these tips may seem simple we feel that most communication systems will actually use a combination of approaches. What works at school, may not always be right for home & vice versa. The most important things to shoot for when developing a communication system: „X Does your child understandrepparttar 111673 system & can they use it independently. „X Is your family & other people your child sees regularly comfortable enough withrepparttar 111674 system to use it every day. „X Isrepparttar 111675 system reliable & useful enough that it is working & in use more than it is broken or stuffed in a closet.

Hopefully some of these ideas will allow you to openrepparttar 111676 wonderful world of communication to your child! Happy chatting!

Copyright 2001, Lisa Simmons

Lisa is the director of the Ideal Lives Project, providing practical support for special needs families & professionals. Visit on-line at http://www.ideallives.com or subscribe to her free newsletter at mailto:ideallives-subscribe@topica.com


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