Why Sign Language?
§ Enhances speech, social, emotional and academic skills
§ Stimulates the area of the brain associated with language
§ May accelerate acquisition of speech
§ Enhances vocabulary through language stimulation
§ Provides access to communication
§ Strengthens the ability to produce expressive language
§ Enhances self-esteem
§ Enhances child’s willingness to interact socially
§ Develops positive behaviors due to less frustration
As opposed to speech…
§ Signs are promptable and can be physically guided
§ Signs can be frozen in time to allow for processing
§ Sign gestures are visually associated with objects
