Max has one sign down. . . More! I am super happy that he is using the sign for more, BUT he is starting to use the sign for more for everything. Example: Wanting cheetos or cheerios from the pantry, wanting me to pick him up, I even think he uses it when he is done with something. He is getting frustrated and so am I. I am trying to get him to use different signs and point to what he wants, but for now he just finds them entertaining when I show them to him. I don't want him to become frustrated with me not understanding what he wants. Previously, his wants and needs where much easier to determine. But as he is getting older, it is getting harder to figure out what exactly he wants. And if I don't get it right, he signs "more" harder and faster. And if I still don't know what he wants, he makes fists and taps them together. Any suggestions??
6 comments:
We are so far behind you that I dont really have any suggestions, the logical part of me would say, just be patient and use the correct sign before you give him what he wants, but if you dont know what he wants, I guess that wouldnt work. So Im no help, I am ready for Alex to be at this stage though, as frustrating as it may be.
The only thing I can suggest is patience and persistence. I know this is easier said than done (believe me, I KNOW). Marissa knows 23 signs and says 5 words. Still, a lot of times I don't understand what she is trying to tell me. She bangs her fists on her head repeatedly at that point, which brings both her and I to tears.
It is so frustrating to not know what your child is trying to tell you, but keep on doing what you are doing. Reinforcing the signs that he knows but might not know how to duplicate will hopefully show him that you are committed to trying to understand what he wants and needs. This may also compel him to work harder to figure out how to make those signs to communicate with you.
I hope this helps,
Alicia
Alicia
AnnaKate is the exact same!! She knows a other signs but more seems to get what she wants so she uses it all the time. I have to tell her, "No thats more...can you say yes!" or "Please sign help.".
I would just keep telling him what sign is appropriate and then move on. He will get it.
Kelly
Oh I hear you and feel your pain.=) Austin does the same thing with the sign "please". I'll ask him what he wants and he signs "please" harder and harder. Very frustrating.
I am in the same boat right now. Noah is very frustrated with me and communication altogether. He uses "more" but that is the only sign. I am going to begin picture communication with him this weekend..
Now that you mention it, I think Addie used to do that - everything was more for a bit. But she broadened her vocabulary more when she could choose to do it on her own - watched signing times many times before signing. And a mirror helped. She'd watch a DVD, then scramble up to the full length mirror and try them all out. Since then, I got a few acrylic portrait mirrors so she can "practice" where ever she likes. I would sit behind her and off to the side, so I could not be seen in the mirror, and say the words she signed, so she'd have that recognition right off the bat. It took a bit, but she figured out the magic of using appropriate signs largely on her own. We never responded to the impatient "more" signs, with anything other than "More? More what? You haven't had anything yet. What do you want?" Even when we knew darn well what she wanted. She found another way, took us to the frigde or pointed or whatever. Then after she was specific about what she wanted, then we'd say the word, sign it and ask her to sign it before giving it to her. In many cases, she did know the right sign, but was just trying to be "effient." ha. Best of luck. It'll come.
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