Research
SignTeacher SignWare encourages caregivers and educators alike to explore the growing body of research that supports teaching sign language to both typically developing and special needs children of all ages. The following list of articles is a small sample of suggested readings that we hope will be helpful for you. Please contact us if you know of other studies that we may add. We offer a special thank you to these and all early childhood development researchers. Their dedication helps us to better understand and teach our children.
Suggested Readings
Sign Language Helps Children With Special Needs:
Blackburn, D., Vonvillan, J., and Ashby, R. (January 1984). Manual communication as an alternative mode of language instruction for children with severe reading disabilities. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 15, 22-31.
Donovan, C. (1998). Teaching sign language. Disability Solutions, Volume 2, Issue 5,
Gibbs, E.D., Springer, A.S., Cooley, W.C. & Aloisio, S. (1991). Early use of total communication: Patterns across eleven children with Down Syndrome. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Early Childhood Conference on Children with Special Needs, St. Louis, MO.
Sensenig, L. Topof, B., and Mazeika, E. (June 1989). Sign language facilitation of reading with students classified as trainable mentally handicapped. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 121-125.
Wong, D.S. (1999, May 1). Sign language helps troubled youths. Boston Globe, p. B1.
Signs Facilitate Early Language Development:
Acredelo, L. & Goodwyn, S. (1993). Symbolic gesture versus words: Is there a modality advantage for onset of symbol use? Child Development, 64, 688-701.
Acredelo, L. and Goodwyn, S. (1996). Baby Signs. Chicago: Contemporary Books.
Acredelo, L. & Goodwyn, S. (July 2000). The long-term impact of symbolic gesturing during infancy on IQ at age 8. Paper presented at the meetings of the International Society for Infant Studies, Brighton, UK.
Garcia, J. (1999). Sign With Your Baby. Bellingham, WA: Stratton Kehl Publications, Inc. Seattle, WA: Northlight, LLC.
Goodwyn, S.W., Acredelo, L.P. & Brown, C. (2000). Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 24, 81-103.
