Teaching sign language to kids with Down syndrome is common. So I know this opinion may ruffle some feathers. But I believe there that may be a negative side to teaching sign language. Particularly to the extent that it is often used to replace verbal language for younger children with Down syndrome.
Have you ever heard “Babies need to learn to self-sooth”. That’s the premise behind “cry it out”. Well, I am here to tell you that allowing your kid to cry it out may have terrible long term effects. And I am not sharing this to shame anybody. I am sharing this because we can only do better when we know better.
When Lennox was about one and a half, I bumped into a lady that complimented him for how verbal he was. I told her that I spoke to him all the time and he seemed to really be passionate about language. She then told me about a book called “How to Teach Your Baby to Read”. I asked her about the author and put all the info as a note in my phone.
The book is FASCINATING. I highly encouraged you to read the book, but here are a few points summarizing what the program is all about.
Today, almost two years after starting the program we do daily with Mara, I can assure you that it is a much better approach when it comes to development for children. And not just children with Down syndrome. This applies includes the neuro-typical children as well – Lennox also follows this program.
Oh, potty training! When it comes to delays in children with Down syndrome, I have read a lot about potty-training. I must confess that I found it really intimidating. But that did not stopped me from continuing to research. During my time trying to learn more about successful potty-training experiences, I learned about “elimination communication”. I found stories from many moms talking about how by using this method, they had been able to get their kids with DS potty-trained within a neuro-typical range.
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