Sign-based communication
The sign-supported communication ( GuK ) is a sub-area of the supported communication ( UK ).
principle
This method of speech initiation to children with delayed spoken language development , but controlled by a degree usable gestures have and where the spoken language acquisition can be expected for a comprehensible communication options open and on the other (expressive language) the process of learning of spoken language expression through the Support visual and pictorial clarification. This is done through the use of so-called GuK cards and comparatively simple language-accompanying signs .
The use of the sign begins very early by close caregivers of the child (parents, siblings, etc.) which the child spoken language supports regularly used terms vorgebärden (z. B. for drinking , eating , sleeping , give , pick ). Through constant repetition, the child learns to associate certain terms with a certain activity and to associate these in turn with a certain word and a certain gesture.
As soon as either gesture or spoken language have reached the required level, the child should begin to articulate or sign the previously cognitively grasped terms .
Eligibility
The GuK signs used, some of which are individually held and varied depending on the child's motor and cognitive abilities, are intended to promote spoken language acquisition , but in no way replace spoken language itself. Because of this, as the ability to articulate spoken language increases, the use of non-verbal signs is gradually restricted, whereby in the transition phase usually both signing and spoken language articulation takes place before the signs stop. In all studies carried out independently of one another up to now, it was possible to prove that the prejudice that persists and also exists among many speech therapists that the use of signs would delay the development of spoken language does not apply. On the contrary, children supported with GuK achieve spoken articulation skills faster than is expected with regard to their respective disabilities .
With the GuK method, no whole sentences or grammatical structures are signed, but only the key words that are relevant in a particular situational context .
Range of use
The GuK system has become an important tool for interpersonal communication, especially for many children with Down syndrome , but also for children with other disabilities or language development delay due to a different cause and / or those with initially limited hearing . Last but not least, parents and other caregivers of the children also benefit from the possibility of communication through GuK and from the increased ability of the children to express their needs and wishes in an understandable way.
Since it is generally the case that cognitive comprehension and receptive language (spoken language comprehension) always progress faster than their expressive language (spoken language expression) even in regular children, parents of regular children also use the GuK system in some cases. In this way, they enable their children to express themselves in a comprehensible manner according to their respective cognitive abilities and to communicate before they have acquired spoken language .
The GuK system and the theoretical concept on which it is based was developed by Etta Wilken , professor emeritus at Leibniz Universität Hannover and member of the scientific advisory board of ISAAK - Society for Supported Communication eV It is mainly used in the private environment of children, in kindergartens and at Special schools for people with cognitive disabilities and are only used until the child can adequately use the possibilities of spoken language communication for understanding.
In Germany, the GuK cards are a regular service provided by statutory health insurers and are listed in the catalog of medical aids.
See also
literature
- Etta Wilken : Language training in children with Down syndrome. With a detailed description of the GuK system . 12th edition. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2014, ISBN 978-3-17-021293-0 , ( curative and special education ).
- Etta Wilken: GuK 1 - basic vocabulary & GuK 2 - advanced vocabulary . German Down Syndrome InfoCenter, Lauf an der Pegnitz 2016, 7th updated edition.
- Etta Wilken: (Ed.): Supported communication. An introduction to theory and practice. 4th edition. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2014, ISBN 978-3-17-025775-7 .
- Silvio Wagner, Klaus Sarimski: Early sign and language acquisition in children with Down syndrome. In: Speech healing work. Specialized journal for speech therapy and academic speech therapy. Vol. 57, issue 4/2012, pp. 184-191.