If your toddler or child has been diagnosed with speech apraxia, then he or she likely has trouble when it comes to articulating sounds, syllables, and complete words. This difficulty is due to an inability of the brain to translate ideas into the movement of body parts (lips, mouth, tongue, etc.) to create sounds. One of the most common recommendations made by pediatric speech therapists to parents of these children is to begin communicating with them through sign language. However, there are some tips that parents must keep in mind when doing so.

DO Demonstrate Multiple Times

No matter your child's age, you should never expect that he or she is going to completely understand and begin using a particular sign after just one demonstration. For many children, it could take you dozens of demonstrations of the sign before he or she will attempt it for one's self. To help with comprehension of new signs, always take your child's hands and demonstrate the sign with their own hands for them. Do this while repeating the word that corresponds with the sign as well.

DO Praise and Reward Them

Make sure your child has an incentive to learn and use new signs by praising them or otherwise rewarding them whenever they begin using a new sign appropriately. Praise can be something as simple as clapping as smiling, or even rewarding them with the object they've requested through their signing. On that same note, understand that it's common for children to get frustrated and upset when they first start signing and have trouble communicating their need, but it's important that you insist on them using their signs to communicate rather than "giving in" and trying to cater to their needs.

DON'T Try to "Show Off"

One of the most common mistakes parents make when teaching sign language to their children with speech apraxia is that of trying to get their children to "show off" new signs to family members and other loved ones. By trying to get a child to sign for something on demand, this takes away from the actual meaning of the sign, so the child may be less likely to use it when he or she really needs it. Ultimately, the goal of teaching your child to use sign language is to get them to incorporate a meaningful form of communication into their lives naturally, so it should not be forced. For more information, contact a business such as ABC Pediatric Therapy.

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