Using sign language

[HikingStick]

Because verbal/expressive delays are very common for children with
Sotos Syndrome, many people suggested we try to teach him sign
language. It did seem like a wonderful idea, but we also knew that
the low muscle tone issues associated with Sotos would make that
difficult for him, too.

However, I'm pleased to report that he has responded quite well to
signing. It took many, many weeks before he could sign "please", but
he seems to understand its use and the appropriate context for the
sign. If he's getting a bit cranky, and I ask him, "Are you hungry?',
he responds by signing please if he is hungry. We're still working on
"eat" and "yes", but he has picked up "finished", "more", and "hurt".
His motor control is still an issue, however. He's not able to get
all of his fingers in their proper positions for "more" and "hurt", so
we have to interpret his intentions based on the context. At the
dinner table, when his plate is empty and he puts his fingers together
a few times, we interpret as "more". The other day, he was looking at
my wrist while making the same gesture he uses for "more" (the sign
for more has three fingers on each hand--"m" in Americal Sign
Language--come together horizontally in front of the body, while the
sign for hurt has pointing index fingers coming close together either
in front of the body for general pain or over the specific area that
hurts). I just had a carpal tunnel release on my right wrist, so I
asked if he wanted to know if the scar hurts. He smiled at me and
repeated the sign!

I'd like to know if any others have tried sign with their Sotos
children. Did it work for you? If you've not tried it, what do you do
to help communicate with your child? What else works?