While attending the University of Alaska, Joseph Garcia became fascinated with his observations that babies of his deaf friends were fast on the trail of becoming sign language “experts” by the age of 9 months! Conversely, his observations also noted babies of hearing parents were not communicating much at 9 months of age. Hence, the topic for his thesis was born.
Garcia’s own infant son’s became the “test subjects” that eventually developed his “Sign With Your Baby” and “Sign 2 Me” multimedia programs based on American Sign Language (ASL).
During the same time period Linda Acredolo had observed her daughter Katie watching the fish swimming in the fish tank at the pediatrician office. Katie walked up to the tank to take a closer look and started to blow. Her mother became puzzled at the behavior. Once they were home Katie was put down for a nap in her crib. Over the crib hung a fish mobile. Linda leaned in to “activate” the mobile with a gentle blow. Linda immediately made the connection of Katie “communicating” with the fish at the pediatrician’s office.
Acredolo and her research partner, Goodwyn began to study the impact of signing with babies as compared to those babies who did not sign. Funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, they were able to identify progress at ages 2,3, and 8 years-old. Results proved signers out-performed non-signers in many areas of cognition and language development.
From these two significant research studies and sign language programs
many grass route baby sign language programs have emerged. Most of
the current programs of today are based on ASL and facilitate verbal
development as an end result goal.
Without the statistical research from Acredolo and Goodwyn, we may not be aware of the positive impact the introduction of sign language to a baby’s cognitive and language development.
Tiny Talking Hands has taken this concept one step further. Based on ASL and theories of Occupational Therapy. Occupational Therapy centers itself around the concept of function. When a person has a limitation, regardless if it is physical, psychological or cognitive, the question that is always on everyone’s mind is “Can they…..” The quote is usually filled in with an aspect of prior function in their life that they now either cannot do or it is limited in some particular aspect. Can they walk, get dressed, drive a car, go back to work, sign their name and so on. Just as the researcher’s earlier mentioned Penny Haussmann, Occupational Therapist for over 14 years, became intrigued with baby sign language with the birth of her daughter.
At first Haussmann’s interest centered on the benefits ASL would provide to her child. As the years past some benefits became apparent. At 18 months of age, her daughter had a vocabulary of a 2 year-old. At 3 years of age she was speaking in 7-8 word sentences. Due to the amazing results, noticed in her own child, Haussmann founded Tiny Talking Hands to teach other parent’s the simple techniques that would provide lifetime developmental benefits to their own children. Always an occupational therapist, always on the hunt for creative treatment mediums, Haussmann began to integrate the same techniques used to teach her daughter, with her client’s.
The practice of integrating ASL tips and techniques into everyday occupational therapy treatment has become standard for Haussmann. Haussmann has utilized these techniques with all ages and a variety of medical conditions to enhance the ability to communicate. The ability to communicate can profoundly impact one’s view of the world and of their self-worth. In addition to continuing to provide this education to parents and grandparents, Tiny Talking Hands provides continuing education courses of study to physical therapist, occupational therapist and daycare providers. Because in the end it is all about making a positive impact!
To find out how you can begin your personal journey with baby sign language you may contact Penny Haussmann at: penny@tinytalkinghands.com
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