Language and communication difficulties are a defining feature of autism, though the severity and details vary from child to child.

For 30% of children with autism though, speech difficulties are severe and even non-verbal (You can read the research here). It’s really important that we don’t assume that because someone cannot express themselves verbally, that they have no capacity or desire to. Often these children feel trapped and disconnected from the world around them and families are left dealing with behaviours that reflect their child’s distress.

This is where sign language (sometimes referred to as key word signing – see this blog for more on that) can be a game changer for families. Signing may be more attainable for children with speech and language delays. Often the visual nature of signing makes it more accessible for children who struggle to process auditory information.

Here are just a few key benefits that I have observed when children with autism use signing:

1) It’s faster. They don’t need to flick through a deck of cards to tell you something.

2) It’s subtle. Signing is more natural than a communication board/cards and may make a child feel more accepted by their peers.

3) It’s easy. Speech is complex, requires fine motor skills and coordination. Key word signs can be picked up quickly.

4) It’s empowering. Giving a child a tool to express their needs, wants and interests when they’ve been trapped is a wonderful gift!

5) It can bridge to speech. Once a child gets a taste for effective communicate, they feel connected and more motivated to work towards speaking.

I was lucky enough to teach Auslan (Australian Sign Language) at a school many years ago. And when I say that I mean literally THE ENTIRE SCHOOL – 500 odd students. Within every single class there was at least one child that had been diagnosed with autism, though none were non-verbal many struggled with varying degrees of speech, language and communication difficulties. But what I did see what that they all thrived in my class. Their classroom aids (teacher’s aide/educational assistant – there’s so many different names for these wonderful humans!) would join and learn with them taking back the signs they learned to the classroom to use throughout their day with outstanding results.

More recently, a parent that attended one of my playgroup courses is a special education teacher working with children with very high needs. He described how helpful signing had been as an addition to his classroom with many children who were non-verbal giving them a new way to communicate and connect with people in their lives.

Well, there you have it. Sign language (or Key Word Signing) is a wonderful tool that families can use to support their child to develop effective communicate, improve social and emotional skills and better connections with the people around them.

Happy Signing :)

Meg