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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Does Any One's Child Use Sign Fluently?

A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Fredericksburg, VA

Hello this is NOT a question about my child/ren.
I am just curious if there is anyone out there who's nonverbal child signs fluently? Meaning they have many many words (including attributes/adjectives, adverbs) and signs in complete sentences?

November 14, 2015
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Answer Summary

Members discussed whether their nonverbal children with autism use sign language fluently, with most sharing that while their children learned... Read more

Members discussed whether their nonverbal children with autism use sign language fluently, with most sharing that while their children learned some basic signs, very few achieved fluency comparable to what they've seen with communication devices or PECS systems. Several members noted that sign language helped with early communication needs, reducing frustration during meltdowns, and supporting attention and engagement, but many found their children eventually transitioned to other methods like PECS, devices, or verbal speech as their primary communication. A recurring theme was the search for real-world examples of fluent signing among nonverbal individuals with autism, with most members expressing curiosity but not personal experience with that level of mastery, while acknowledging sign language's value as a stepping stone or supplemental tool.

A MyAutismTeam Member

Because when using sign you MUST have engagement and attention, it addresses one of the needs of the person with autism - the need to pay attention to communication. Sign language requires over-expression and body language from the speaker - which is what some children need to attend. When I used simple signs for the most basic communication (more, wait, drink, sit, please, thank you), he was able to understand (I practiced on my kiddo while taking the course). It also became a mode of communication I could use across the room or as a reminder without using a verbal prompt. If you want to fade verbal prompts, having a sign to use is a nice way to transition away from them.

November 16, 2015
A MyAutismTeam Member

my child is pretty verbal, but loses her ability to communicate in crisis / meltdown. She has taken to using sign language to communicate her needs when she is in that state and it has really started to help. She isn't fluent yet.

November 14, 2015
A MyAutismTeam Member

My question is not if sign language is taught or what else is there...just curious to see if there is even a single non-verbal person with autism who was taught sign as an communication method who does in fact sign fluently (in sentences, unprompted, with a variety of people, with novel people, for a variety of functions)... This is a question I have been seeking an answer to for a long time...

February 26, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

With my son, i try to teach him every other type of communication, since he can not speak, sign language, suggestive language, picture language, objects,

February 25, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

@A MyAutismTeam Member I find your story so common... I am big big believer in official PECS and have never seen it "fail", and many kids become verbal after introduction of phase 4.. However get told a lot by slps and bcbas that "sign" is "better"... I keep looking and listening for personal accounts to make that statement true, but more often then not I hear exactly what you said "we did sign and got nothing"... I am very very curious to hear/see a child/adult with asd fluently signing to communicate a variety of things equivalent to what I saw with following pecs proticol

February 2, 2016

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