Help - Sign language /School refuses to teach my apraxic child sign language

[Guest guest]

There has been a lot of talk about ASL and sign language on this web site

lately. I would like to share my dilemma with this list serve members, and I

need your immediate input. We have an IEP is 10 days!!!

After a three year battle with my district, I finally convinced the district

(through mediation) to do a formal American Sign Language evaluation of my

son, who is nearly 8 and who has severe apraxia. He has high end AAC device

and is learning how to use if (only since 6/01) , he can sign some whole

words and uses that method of communication frequently at home, and sometimes

at school. We have a good sign language CD ROM program- " Hypersign " that

we've used to teach him more signs, this is signing exact English, I think,

the signs are whole word signs. Some signs are used in ASL also. His sign

language vocabulary is probably 50-75 words. He recognizes more signs then

he signs.

The district has resisted to teach him sign language since he is not hearing

impaired. The district also resisted the AAC device for years. And they do

not have a competent SLP to support my child's AAC device training and

learning more language. We do a lot with him outside the school on AAC.

Unfortunately todate he does not have reliable communication system in place.

There are frequent tantrums, he cannot " speak " on the phone, the child

prefers to use his own voice and body language most of the time. He is an

extroverted child with fairly good people skills, despite his lack of

expressive language.

He expressive language is at a level of one year old, but receptively he is

at a level of 5-7 year old.

I finally got the ASL assessment report back, and I am very disappointed by

it.

It states that due to his fine motor difficulties, ( and I knew about it all

along) , he can produce only 6 out of 12 basic hand signs reliably, the rest

are approximations.

Furthermore in the conclusion of this report it states that because the

child's " educational and social environments are comprised of children and

adults who do not know sign language, within that context, the use of sign to

express his feelings and needs may not be productive. " " ...Because of his

fine motor limitations, and with limited audience of proficient sign

communicators, sign language may not be an effective and efficient

communication system at this time. "

I still believe there is place and time for sign language for this child. You

cannot take AAC device to the pool, you cannot rely on AAC device all the

time, it needs to be charged, it is very slow way of communicating for my

son, who is not proficient with the device, when it comes to making sentences

from words that are programmed into the device.

I would like to get an input and may be references to literature that will

support my position that is to teach the child how to sign along with

teaching him how to use his AAC device, along with oral motor therapy for

apraxia, which the school totally refused to do for the last three years.

All em suggestions are welcome?

[Guest guest]

Check out the IEP group. They have wonderful suggestions about how

to get what you want in an IEP. Here's the link:

IEP_guide/?yguid=61196202

> There has been a lot of talk about ASL and sign language on this

web site

> lately. I would like to share my dilemma with this list serve

members, and I

> need your immediate input. We have an IEP is 10 days!!!

>

[Guest guest]

Well, ok ... I've mentioned that one of our daughterx has severe, global

apraxia/aphasia -- also has a severe bilaterial hearing loss and we use ASL

signs in English word order for communication.

My first thought is that perhaps it would be a good idea to commit to a

particular modality of communication as primary so your son knows where to

focus his attention. That is, what is most appropriate mode of

communication. Perhaps you could start with a one year committment and then

reaccess after that.

If your son naturally uses a lot of body language and already knows 50-75

signs (which is just terrific!), I personally (without knowing you son)

would start there. Particularly considering that his social skills are

good! Signing demands a higher level of functionality than an AAC device so

why not go into it assuming he can do it! If you don't try by way of

committment than you will never know.

As for the school district's accessment, if it were me I would disregard.

You know your boy. If he's naturally using body language than why not go

with it. Realistically, however, I think you will have to show a strong

committement over time as well as progress to get the supporting services at

school. In the meantime, think of all the progress he'll be making at home!

Disregard the districts comments about signing not being acceptable in the

community. Certainly, they do not say the same to their students/families

who are deaf/Deaf/hoh and manage just find thank-you-very-much!

Good luck, I'm rooting for your family and keep us posted!

Dana in Michigan

rodgers@...

> There has been a lot of talk about ASL and sign language on this web site

> lately. I would like to share my dilemma with this list serve members,

and I

> need your immediate input. We have an IEP is 10 days!!!

>