If I had something to tell you and I was unable I would be mad too. I’m sure you would also. But can you imagine for a young child? A child who’s brain is going and going and knows what he/she wants to say to you but just can’t seem to get it out.
Branden was that way. You knew he wanted to tell you things so bad. He wanted to share things with people that he did but even though it was all there he just could not get it out to the world. In the beginning it was like a guessing game until I would get to pick up on what he wanted or needed. But until that time came it was hard to watch my poor son struggle with the world. Frustrated? Oh yes he was! I can’t blame him either. People in the stores would look at Branden as if he was throwing a tantrum cause he was told no but that was not the case. At this point we were still unaware of Branden and what his issues were/are. Time went on and on but he also taught himself to show others what he wanted and needed. He would take our hand and bring us to where he wanted you to go and point to what he wanted you to see. But still days he was frustrated. More time went on and we were put on different waiting lists and I knew the wait was long and I had to do something. My child was happy but frustrated and who knows what he was feeling inside. I didn’t want to wait anymore, it’s been long enough and I’m not going to sit back and wait while my son suffers. This little needed a way to communicate, he needed a voice in a different manner to help him so I sat down at the computer.
SIGN LANGUAGE!!! Now we can’t sit and have a full out conversation but we know some basics. This helped A LOT!!! I noticed a change in Branden right away. It was like that sweet little boy knew that Mommy was showing him something he wanted, a way to communicate. It was like he knew this was going to help. Not just cause Mommy told him so cause he really truly believed in his heart. Yes only two/three years old but still it was like he knew.
Please and Thank you were the first two he was taught. Followed by eat, play, drink, mommy, daddy, and the list went on. The more he caught on and the more he learned and was on a roll the more I would learn so I could teach him. We had fun with it and when he had enough we stopped so cause there was no pressure he was eager to learn more.
I believe this is when I really realized that I’m his voice. Yes his voice was going to be his hands but mine was the sound and he was going to need that also and I being his very proud mom was not going to sit back and or hold back with anything for him. The waiting lists we were placed on for many places were just not fast enough for my liking (I know there are others in line but as a mom a day is too long at times) so while I waiting I did what I could.
The Internet and I’m sure a library has a lot of information on sign language. Don’t feel all stressed out if your don’t believe you don’t think you can learn a lot. That was but mistake at the beginning until I stopped myself and realized that I just need to learn the basics. So I sat down and made a list. Signs I would like him to know and signs I believed he should and wants to know to help him in the world.
Being in public became easier. Not as many stares. I mean I delt with the stares and whatever that person decided to do but it was still nice not having a frustrated, sad, boy most the time when all is meant to be happy.
So that is one idea you can choose to help your child whom is non verbal. Even if they talk a bit it’s still awesome. It may help your child as it did mine. Also too keep in mind you may still choose to do this since as parents we know our child, but learn from me…there comes a time when your child is not with you 24-7 and even though we know what their needs are most the time, others do not. So this may help a lot in the outside world as well.
American Sign Language A-Z
APRAXIA AWARENESS, USING OUR VOICE SO A CHILD CAN BE HEARD
