Sign Language can be beneficial for anyone and everyone.

Sign Language is a beautiful, expressive language than can help a baby who is unable to verbally express their needs. Using sign language can greatly reduce tantrums and frustration over communicating their needs.

Among quite a few other countries America is one that has been advocating the use of sign language to augment (assist) babies communication for some years now. There are a number of web sites, books, videos and loads of information if you know where to look.

REMEMBER with these resources they are American (ASL) British (BSL) etc., sign language which is different to our own Australian Sign Language(AUSLAN). Sign Language is NOT a universal language - each country has their own - there are approx. 140 different sign languages. As each country has their own spoken language, accent & slangisms, sign language has evolved in the same way. American (ASL) is very different to our own where British (BSL) is very similar (our own sign language originated from British & Scotish).

In our instance we introduced Auslan signs to our twins at 6 months of age. Aaron who has no disability was doing his first sign at 8 months of age. Elysha took longer to understand the relevance of the signs and was 17 months before she did her first. But in both instances once the first sign was done many others came thick and fast. It has been very beneficial for both of the twins and its great to look back at video footage of them when babies yet able to make us undersatand what they wanted.

There is so much to say but those early years can be very frustrating - knowing what you want but getting mum or dad to understanding is quite another matter.

"Baby sees it - wants it - babbles it - mum/dad look around - know baby wants something - make a guess - wrong - baby gets frustrated - tries again - and again - then chucks a right royal tantrum - "can't you understand me?" - mum/dad feel frustrated too - if only we could understand. An easy solution - sign language - a visual language - easier to attain than verbal - everyone's happy - communication - and when baby can verbalise clearly and be understood - signs are dropped. "

Sign Language used with baby will not stop or slow down his/her verbal communication rather studies have shown verbal output is higher than a child just using verbal. Also studies have shown there are less temper tantrums and acting out as the child is easier to understand.

To start signing with your baby you only need to know one sign.

Sign language can make all the difference between being understood and understanding.

Australian resources are becoming more readily available.

Sign is best learnt at a workshop if possible,
then use books videos etc. to refresh and confirm that what you are doing is correct.

Communication is what life is all about.