You may have just seen your new speech pathologist as your child hasn’t started speaking yet.
Your speech pathologist has recommended key word sign and has started using this strategy in sessions.
Understanding Key Word Sign Strategy
This worries you because you visited a speech pathologist hoping to support your child’s talking and they have started using KWS rather than verbal language.
Don’t worry – there is plenty of evidence that suggests using assistive communication strategies such as KWS can facilitate the production of speech rather than discourage it.
Key word sign is a strategy that uses signs from the local sign language (in Australia this is Auslan) and can be used with children or adults to support their communication by signing the most important messages accompanied with spoken words and natural gestures (such as pointing, facial expressions and/or body language. (Key Word Sign, 2023).
I want to try KWS to help my child communicate but I’m worried it will mean they won’t develop their verbal language…
One of our goals as speech pathologists is to support an individual’s communication and this may be through KWS.
We know from extensive research that the majority of those using communication aids demonstrated an increase in their speech production and none were found to demonstrate decreases in their verbal output. (Millar, Light, & Schlosser, 2006).
Parental Training for KWS: Is It Necessary?
We recognise that oral communication is parents’ preference, but we need to support the entirety of their communication not just verbal language.
Using another method of communication gives your child an opportunity to communicate with other children or adults and encourages their desire to communicate their needs and wants, ultimately increasing their motivation to use oral language.
Using KWS supports your child’s overall communication, as they learn to navigate the ways of social interactions and conversational opportunities.
It increases their vocabulary range and encourages social communication such as attention and eye contact during interactions. (Goldin-Meadow, & Alibali, 2013).
Do I need to be trained in KWS?
KWS is generally used to assist a child with their language rather than replaced as a complete language system.
Your speech pathologist will teach you key signs as well as refer you to websites such as Key Word Sign Australia for more support.
Parents may wish to be trained in KWS to help support their understanding and use of signs, however, it is not training is not considered a requirement. (Raising Children Network, 2022)
If you are concerned with your child’s language, please call Box Hill Speech Pathology clinic on 03 9899 5494
References
Goldin-Meadow, S., & Alibali, M. W. (2013). Gesture’s role in speaking, learning, and creating language. Annual review of psychology. 64, 257–283. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143802
Key Word Sign Australia. (2023). What is KWS? https://kwsa.org.au/what-is-key-word-sign/
Millar, D.C., Light, J.C., & Schlosser, R.W. (2006). The impact of augmentative and alternative communication intervention on the speech production of the individuals with developmental disabilities: A research review. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 49 (2), 248-264. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2006/021
Raising Children Network. (2022). Key Word Sign. https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/key-word-sign
