sign language for kids w/ autism

[Guest guest]

I started signing with Miki about 4 years ago. I was very reluctant because learning a new language is not one of my better skills, but after four years trying to get her to speak after her Cochlear Implant surgury and her still not speaking I tried it. We got lessons from an ASL group and I could see the relief on Mik's face when she signed something to me and I knew what she wanted. We had used Pecs and I have rings with BoardMaker lamenated pictures, but the ASL workes the best. Miki is Apraxic and sometimes I can't figure out what she is signing, but it is still much better.

Gotta tell you all a story...I had a yardsale about a year ago and a Mom, Dad and kid with obvious severe Autism showed up. English was not their first language. I asked them if their son spoke, if he was at all verbal. They said "No" we can not communicate with him. I saw him staring at my flamingo flag I have flying. I signed "Do you like the flag? He looked me straight in the eye and signed "yes". I signed "pretty pink bird" he signed "like" and leaned over and kissed my cheek. I asked them if they knew sign language, they said "no, he learns it in school". It's a shame I could communicate with their kid more than they could.

Jayne...the Mom to ASLMiki