Q: Will signing delay my child's speech?
A: NO! In fact, when a child is exposed to the visual nature of sign language, the "language centers" of the brain are stimulated, resulting in increased potential for language connections, and therefore language learning. Also, children want to communicate. As long as all the physical speech mechanisms are in place, the child WILL speak.
Q: Does it matter what sign I use as long as we understand each other?
A: It matters very much. First Expressions believes strongly in using true American Sign Language, which is the langauge of the cultrally Deaf in America. Using "home-made" or "made-up" signs is confusing to children, because different providers will then use different signs to mean the same thing. Also, using non-standard signs is disrespectful to the culture of the 30 million ASL users in America.
Q: Is ASL really a language?
A: Absolutely. In the mid 1950s a professor named William Stokoe conducted extensive reseach where he concluded that ASL has its own grammar, structure, and rules of usage, just like any spoken language. He also concluded that ASL can relay the deepest of meaning, just like a spoken language and is in no way a "short-cut" or an "abbreviated" form of communication.
Q: Is signing as beneficial as learning a forgein language?
A: Yes. ASL has been approved as a foreign language for 7th through 12th grades and is accepted as a foreign language in many colleges and universities.
Q; Is signing with hearing children just a fad?
A: No. In fact, it's been around since the early 1970s when Dr. Joseph Garcia conducted his research and found that signing with hearing children results in earlier and more effective communication between parents and their young babies. A multitude of studies have been conducted over the past 40 years proving the undeniable benefits of signing with children.
