Literacy news

Formal signing systems

16 Apr 2005

The advantages of using a formal system rather than making up your own signs are tha

• Any signs used by your child can be understood by those who know that sign system.
• Everyone who is in contact with your child can use the same signs, making it easier to learn the sign and its meaning.
• People are less likely to get confused about the meaning of any given sign.

Commonly used signing systems include:

• British Sign Language (BSL), unlike other signing systems, is a fully fledged language, used by deaf people in the UK. For more information go to British Sign Language.
• Makaton and Signalong are the systems most commonly used by speech and language therapy departments for children with a wide range of difficulties. They use some signs taken from British Sign Language. Signs are used at the same time as spoken language, providing additional clues to help children understand what is being said. For more information go to Makaton or to Signalong.
• Paget Gorman - a signing system that was developed specifically to support children with primary speech and language difficulties. Paget Gorman is used in some special schools and units for children with specific speech and language impairments. Like Makaton and Signalong, Paget Gorman follows the word order of spoken English. For more information go to Paget Gorman.

Speech and language therapy departments often offer classes in the signing systems they use. Alternatively, you can contact the organisations that represent the different options directly for information about classes you could attend, videos, CD-ROMs and other information materials that are available.

(Extracted from 'Information for parents: Speech and language difficulties', published by Early Support, 2005)

Tags: Talk To Your Baby

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