Sign Language & Down Syndrome 

      In addition to autism, sign language can be beneficial to children with other special needs, such as Down syndrome or Apraxia.  The benefits are essentially the same as those associated with children who have autism. 

       Often times, children with Down syndrome have a delay in speech that is very frustrating for the child and his parents.  Speech therapists encourage parents of children with Down syndrome to introduce sign language early and often, combining it with traditional speech.  Children will often use signs for emphasis or clarification.  According to studies, most words that are signed are eventually spoken and evolve into spontaneous speech.  Clearly, the combining sign language with the spoken word supports the formation of spoken language.