Spontaneous Verbal Language for Autistic Children through Signed Speech

Abstract

Signed speech refers to the simultaneous production of signs and speech. When autistic children are taught to sign and speak at the same time, i.e. to use signed speech, the spontaneity that manual language promotes transfers to speech. After the children have employed signed speech for many months, the signs can be faded out. The children employ the verbal language that remains in a creative and generative fashion–to make demands, describe the world, and to direct or comment on their own behavior. The three originally nonverbal autistic boys we instructed progressed from spontaneous sign language, to spontaneous signed speech, to spontaneous verbal language.

Speech Acquisition in Older Nonverbal Individuals With Autism

“…The authors used different names for their programs: total communication, 41,58 simultaneous communication, 22,27,30 and signed speech. 68,73 Some educators taught American Sign Language signs with English syntax, 41,58 whereas others used Signed English. 22,73 Two reports specifically mentioned that they taught signs within a behavioral analysis framework.…”

“…68,73 Some educators taught American Sign Language signs with English syntax, 41,58 whereas others used Signed English. 22,73 Two reports specifically mentioned that they taught signs within a behavioral analysis framework. 22,30 A unique instructional method involved teaching signs while the students walked on elevated boards.…”

“…27 From the Class I publications, it could be determined that the children acquired speech at ages 5 through 12. 30,41,58,63,73 Participants achieved a number of speech and language skills: word approximations, 22 single words, 27,30,63 phrases, 27,41 and sentences. 63,73 Similar to outcomes in the operant conditioning studies, 70% of the children taught simultaneous communication reached the level of words, whereas 30% attained phrases or sentences.…”

“…Two subjects were reported to be able to follow simple verbal directions. 58,73 Treatment intensity varied from case to case. The total length of treatment ranged from 3 months 30 to more than 5 years, 68 with the majority of students receiving sign language instruction for 1 year or more.…”

Speech, Language and Communication Disorders of the Multiply Handicapped

“…Because communication boards or signs may be easier and more natural for some children to use functionally, they may serve during the period when the child is unable to acquire speech. Also, an alternative system may ac tually stimulate the emergence of speech [Carrier, 1979;Schaeffer, 1979;Harris and Vanderheiden, 1980]. Nonspecch communication includes sign ing, Blissymbols, abstract plastic symbols, and communication boards.…”