Special Needs

3 Ways to Observe Down Syndrome Awareness Month

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Many of our Signing Time parents have children with Down Syndrome. And most of us know someone who has Down Syndrome. In fact, each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down Syndrome. And since October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we would like to take some time to honor our friends who have Down Syndrome. So let’s consider some ways to observe Down Syndrome Awareness Month.   Positive changes in our world The world has come a long way, and we are thankful for the progress that has been made. At the same time, many parents still struggle to …

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Down Syndrome Awareness - Signing Time Foundation

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and the Signing Time Foundation is proud to be a long-standing supporter of children with Down syndrome and their families. Signing Time Co-founder Rachel Coleman has often be found at National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Buddy Walks around the country, and we’ve been working hard to build a great database of resources for you to use when signing with children who have Down syndrome. The goal of the Buddy Walk is to promote understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. “My September and October weekends are filled with Buddy Walks!” says Rachel. “At each …

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5 Simple Tips for Using Signs With Children With Special Needs

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Jill G. Eversmann, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Signing Time Academy Instructor When working with toddlers and young children who are pre-verbal, minimally verbal, nonverbal, or whose speech is not intelligible, signs are often introduced to encourage speech and language skills and foster communication. One of the keys for success when using signs with children with special needs (if you are the professional introducing signs to children), is to make sure that the parents and caregivers learn the signs as well. Use Signs that are Part of a True Language – American Sign Language (ASL) Signs While using single signs is …

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Voted One of the Best Websites for Speech and Language

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Hooray! We’ve been named one of the 100 Best Blogs and Websites for Speech and Language Pathology 4 years running by Kidmunicate!   What were they looking for in their picks for top websites? Blogs from some articulate, smart and creative speech and language pathologists who offer advice, lesson plans, crafting ideas, etc. Resource websites that SLPs can use to find evidence-based research, clip art and jobs and much more. Websites that specialize in a particular disorder – Autism. Voice, Down Syndrome, Childhood Apraxia, Stuttering, cerebral palsy, etc. Websites that focus on relevant technology. We are so proud to make …

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Priceless Rewards: Beating the Odds with Signing Time

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“What could have been a stumbling block became one more chance for Erin to Shine.” Baby Signing Time Kickstarter Backer Diane C. shares her story about the powerful life-long rewards of signing with her daughter, Erin.   “I just have to share how Signing Time continues to touch our lives every day. My daughter has been a life-long member of the Signing Time family. When she had a speech delay because of Down syndrome, Signing Time gave her an age appropriate vocabulary. As her speech ability became stronger, she stopped signing, until she began using longer sentences. Then she used her signs …

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Signing Time and Our Journey As a Special Needs Family

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by Lisa T. American Sign Language has been an invaluable blessing to my family. Our three-year-old daughter, June, has complex medical needs including a tracheostomy which prevents her from vocalizing. American Sign Language allows June to communicate with us and to acquire a rich, complete language during these vital early years of brain development. Signing Time enabled us to start learning ASL as a family and to share this language with others. When June received a tracheostomy at 2 months old, doctors did not know if or when she would be able to vocalize. At that time, my husband, my …

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YOU are Invited: Rachel’s Concert at Joey+Rory’s Barn

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Shh! It’s a Surprise Yesterday, country music star Rory Feek (of Joey+Rory) announced that he has a very special surprise for his daughter, Indy, this Saturday. She is going to meet her hero, Rachel Coleman! Indy is a a huge fan of Signing Time, as you can see in this video 🙂 Video courtesy of Hickory Films Indy+Friends Concert On Saturday (11/12), Rachel is treating Indy and her friends to a very special Signing Time concert in Joey+Rory’s Farmhouse Concert Hall at their home in Tennessee. “I can’t wait to see the look on my daughter, Indy’s face. My wife’s idol was Dolly Parton… …

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Supporting Down Syndrome Awareness Month

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The Signing Time Foundation is proud to be a long-standing supporter of children with Down syndrome and their families.  Signing Time Co-founder Rachel Coleman can often be found at the National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walks around the country. We’ve been working hard to build a great database of resources for you to use when signing with children who have Down syndrome. You can also see children with Down syndrome demonstrating signs in our shows. We have seen the benefits of using American Sign Language to assist with communication for children who have Down syndrome. These children sometimes find it difficult to express themselves verbally. …

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American Sign Language and Apraxia of Speech

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Children with Apraxia of Speech experience difficulties when the muscles involved in forming the sounds do not work properly. This makes it hard to say their words. Children with Apraxia and other speech and language disorders have difficulty communicating their wants and needs, which leads to high levels of frustration. By using American Sign Language (ASL), children can overcome barriers to spoken language and successfully communicate. This success gives them a sense of empowerment, which can lead to increased self-esteem and confidence. As a pediatric SLP, I always knew that I wanted my kids to learn simple signs and have access to communication at …

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Wyatt’s crazy progress thanks to ASL signs

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Originally posted on fromNICUtoLife by Nicole Ott Signing Time Academy Instructor Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed anyone that Wyatt could be where he’s at now simply by introducing him to some basic ASL signs. Here was a kid who was completely non-verbal and had meltdowns every single day, multiple times a day. He was the kid who had a meltdown simply for being in the same room as a therapist. No medical professional knew how to help us. There was no silver lining. We had essentially given up hope that his behavior would ever change. Communication and behavior progress …

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