Lámh

What is Lámh?

I don't know what we'd do without Lámh! Parent, Cork '07

Lámh signs are used by some children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs to support or extend their communication.

Possible Benefits of Using Lámh:

• It may improve the person's understanding of language
• It can increase their attempts to communicate
• It may reduce frustration    

How Lámh can support communication...

1.   With sign, the person can see as well as hear what is being communicated.

2.   Signing naturally encourages people to slow down a little so the person has  more time to work out the message.

3.   The Lámh user may be more easily understood when they use signs, for example if their speech is unclear or limited.  This encourages many to try new words and say more.

4.   It encourages eye contact and attention to movement which are needed for speech development.

Does Lámh have to be used on it's own?

No, Lámh can be used in combination with other ways of communicating, e.g.:

• Speaking  
• Gestures
• Pictures
• Symbols
• other 

If my child starts to use Lámh, will their speech not develop?

 
Research has shown that this is not the case (Launonen 1996).  A number of studies indicate that use of AAC such as signing may facilitate the development of vocal skills by encouraging interaction and language skills (Millar et al., 2000).  Signing can support development of a child's communication skills.  They can learn to express preferences and interact.  Use of sign can support their understanding.  A child may use Lámh for a period of time and then 'drop' the sign when they start to use the word instead.

More...

See full details of references in References and Links section