What is Key Word Sign?
Key Word Sign is a system of manual hand signs borrowed from Auslan (the language of the Australian deaf community) used to assist people with communication impairments. Only the 'key words' are signed and speech is always used with signs. e.g. 'Go to the shops' would be signed as 'go + shops'. Key Word Sign can be used as 'alternative' to speech or to 'augment' (accompany) speech.
Who can benefit?
• Adults and Children who have difficulty understanding speech possibly due to the following: language delay or impairment, specific conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual impairment & Down Syndrome.
• Adults and Children who have difficulty expressing themselves with speech possibly due to the following: language delay or impairment, articulation difficulties and specific conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual impairment & Down Syndrome.
How to use Key Word Sign?
• Always use speech together with the sign
• Speak in normal, grammatical sentences
• Sign only the key words in the sentence
• Use facial expression and body language
• Use directionality and placement
• Teach signs that are relevant
Why should I use Key Word Sign?
• Helps the person with the communication impairment understand what I’m saying
• Signs often look like their meaning
• Using your hands often gains the persons attention
• Using sign helps you to slow down & simplify your language
• Using sign and spoken words together provides 2 ways for the message to be given – auditory (you hear it) and visual (you see it)
• Give the person with the communication impairment a means to be able to express themselves
• Signs are easier to produce than words
• The use of sign can often provide sufficient context for the listener to understand a persons speech attempts.
• Reduce the frustration of not being able to communicate.
• Being able to use some signs reduces the pressure to speak clearly. For some people the pressure makes it more difficult to achieve clear speech.