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23 September: International Day Of Sign Languages
Next time you’re having a chat with someone, think about how you’re using your hands. Chances are, you’re signing without even realising it. From a thumbs up to show approval or a shrug of the shoulders when you don’t know the answer, gestures are an important part of everyday communication.
Behind the scenes at Rocky Bay, many of our team are using Key Word Sign to help support customers, including Physiotherapist Freya Pritchard, who works primarily with children at Lady Lawley Cottage.
“Sign is essentially an alternative form of communication that’s used to help people who are verbal or non-verbal express their wants and needs using hand gestures and signals,” Freya says. “It’s very similar to Auslan but simplified quite significantly, really just keeping it to the key word.”
Common signs Freya uses in therapy sessions are “more”, “finished”, “stop”, “hungry”, “thirsty”, “yes” and “no” – simple concepts but with a big impact on a child’s experience.
“I think sign is one of the deciding factors of whether therapy is successful or not. If I can provide more opportunities for the child to communicate then I can build better rapport – kids are then much more motivated to be part of the session.”
Changing attitudes to communication
For Leanne Dennis, whose adult children David and Nina are both deaf and have intellectual disabilities, sign language has played a crucial part in everyday life. But it wasn’t always widely accepted.
“Sign was frowned upon at one stage. People thought you should either learn sign language, or learn to speak, you don’t do both! That’s what it was like when they (David and Nina) were little kids. They didn’t fit into deaf society because they’ve got intellectual disabilities. And they didn’t fit into the hearing world because they’re deaf with intellectual disabilities.”
Rocky Bay Speech Pathologist Jade Champion has been working closely with the siblings for years, helping them learn sign that is targeted towards what will support them in everyday life, whether they’re at work or out at a café.
“Nina has started ordering food more independently using sign language,” Jade says. “She’s now going up to the counter and asking for a burger herself. So we use it alongside speech, writing and other communication methods.”
While we were chatting, David was also learning how to sign ‘Dockers’, with his favourite team due to play that evening!
A multi-modal approach to communication
Freya explains how a multi-modal approach gives customers more ways to communicate what they want and need, which is particularly valuable during physiotherapy sessions when a child becomes tired or overwhelmed.
“If their brains have gone offline, sometimes giving them verbal instructions just goes completely over their heads. So I’ll give the verbal instruction and the Keyword Sign at the same time. The impact is huge.”
The benefits are not just evident in the therapy room.
“It’s about the whole person,” Freya says. “For example in sport, it’s not just how they move but it’s also how they understand rules and communicate with teammates. It’s all connected.”
A shared language of inclusion
At Rocky Bay, sign is embedded across many therapy disciplines. Therapists regularly learn from one another, sharing new signs and communication approaches that can benefit customers and families.
For Freya, using sign has become second nature.
“I don’t even realise I’m doing it anymore,” she laughs. “I even use it with my dogs!”
This International Day of Sign Languages, Rocky Bay celebrates the customers, families and therapists using sign to build connection, break down barriers and support greater independence.
Communication is not one-size-fits-all. Whether through Auslan, keyword sign, speech, visuals or technology, having multiple ways to communicate helps create a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to connect with others, get involved and be heard.
David Dennis, an avid Fremantle Dockers supporter!