Frequently Asked Questions

Key Word Sign (KWS) is a powerful communication system that combines manual signs, gestures, facial expressions, and spoken words to help individuals who have communication challenges, such as those with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other communication disorders.

It’s especially useful for non-speaking or pre-speaking individuals who need extra support to express themselves.

KWS works by using short, simple sentences where the most important words are signed. This makes it easier for children with limited spoken abilities to understand and communicate.

By pairing spoken words with signs, KWS helps children bridge the gap between non-speaking and speaking. It encourages early language development and improves social interaction.

While Key Word Sign is often used with children who have communication difficulties, research shows that it can benefit all children, including those with typical development. KWS supports early intervention by helping children develop their language skills before they can fully speak, and it provides a valuable tool for teachers and therapists in classrooms, speech therapy, and special education.

Key Word Sign borrows signs from Auslan (Australian Sign Language), but it is not the same as Auslan, which has its own grammar and structure. KWS focuses on making communication easier by using signs alongside speech to improve understanding for children with communication delays.

For more information on Key Word Sign and how it can help individuals with communication challenges, click here.

Other FAQ: What is keyword sign? What is key word signing? What are the principles of key word sign?

Key Word Sign is the use of signs alongside speech, providing visual support that enhances understanding and helps with communication. The signs are used for key words of a sentence.

Key Word Sign uses a small set of core vocabulary words combined with manual signs to help individuals communicate their needs, wants, and thoughts. These signs are chosen based on the most important words in a sentence or phrase to make communication easier.

Research suggests starting with 10-15 core signs and gradually increasing to 50-150 signs depending on how well the child and their communication partners can learn and use them. The more signs a child knows, the more they can do with communication, such as sharing ideas, thoughts, and observations. This approach helps expand the child’s ability to express themselves and interact effectively.

For more information on how Key Word Sign can support communication and learning, click here.

This system uses a small set of core vocabulary words and manual signs to make communication easier.

By combining signs with spoken language, Key Word Sign provides visual support that helps people share their needs, wants, and thoughts more clearly.

Key Word Sign further offers several benefits to all children and adults, including:

• Learning a Second Language: Signs make it easier to pick up new languages.
• Mental Rotation: Using signs can improve problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.
• Learning New Mathematical Concepts: Engaging with signs helps with understanding and applying math ideas.
• Inclusion and Connecting with Friends: Key Word Sign helps create a more inclusive world by letting people who need it communicate better with others, promoting understanding and better connections.

Overall, Key Word Sign helps improve communication and supports a more inclusive and connected community.

For more information on how Key Word Sign can help, click here.

Other FAQ: Who uses key word sign? Who uses KWS?

Yes, Key Word Sign can be used with people of all ages. It is particularly effective for young children who are still developing their speech and language skills, as well as adults with communication difficulties due to various disabilities or conditions.

However, at Sunshine Sign and Sign, we specialise in providing Key Word Sign services and resources specifically for children. Our focus is on helping young learners improve their communication skills through tailored tools and support designed for their needs.

If you are interested in how Key Word Sign can benefit a child with communication challenges, we are here to help. For more information about our services and resources, please visit our home page.

Yes, Key Word Sign can differ from one country to another. Each country may use its own signs and terms for this communication tool, such as manual signing, MAKATON, Lamh, or simplified signing. Although the specific signs and names might vary, the fundamental principles of Key Word Sign remain consistent worldwide.

The core concept of Key Word Sign involves using a set of key vocabulary words combined with manual signs and spoken language to support communication. This approach helps individuals clearly express their needs, wants, and thoughts.

At Sunshine Sign and Sign, we use Australian signs, which are kindly borrowed from Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Our method includes using manual signs with spoken language, focusing on key words to support communication specifically for our Australian community.

While the signs and names might differ in other countries, the primary goal of Key Word Sign is to improve communication and make interactions more effective. For more information on how Key Word Sign with Australian signs can benefit you, click here.

Key Word Sign: Key Word Sign is a communication system that incorporates manual signs and spoken words. It is used to support individuals with communication difficulties, such as those with communication disorders or limited verbal abilities. Key Word Sign focuses on using a limited set of core vocabulary words alongside spoken language to enhance communication and understanding. It is not a complete sign language like Auslan.

Auslan (Australian Sign Language): Auslan is a complete and distinct sign language used by the Deaf community in Australia. It has its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural elements. Auslan is the primary language of the Australian Deaf community and has been recognised as an official language in Australia since 1987.

Signed English: Signed English is a sign language system that aims to represent English word-for-word using signs. Unlike Auslan, Signed English is not a natural language with its own grammar. It is a manual code that follows the word order and structure of spoken English, with all words being signed, unlike key word sign that only signs key words. Signed English is often used as a communication tool in educational settings to support language development and facilitate the learning of spoken English for individuals with communication difficulties.

Cued Speech / Cued Articulation: It is a set of hand cues for teaching the individual sounds in a word. The hand movements represents one sound and the cue gives clues as to how and where the sound is produced. The hand cues do not represent words but are connected to the sounds a person makes.

While all the systems involve the use of signs, they differ in their purpose, structure, and relationship to spoken language. Auslan is a complete sign language with its own grammar and cultural context, Key Word Sign focuses on core vocabulary words to enhance communication, Signed English is a manual code that directly represents spoken English and Cued Speech uses handshake to assist the understand of mouth sounds.

Other FAQ: Is it KWS or Auslan?

Children frequently start using signs before their speech skills are fully developed. This can be explained by several factors:

1. Gestures Come First:
   
   Babies and young children naturally use gestures before they begin to speak. Their brains are wired for gestures, making them a precursor to spoken language. Signing builds on these early gestures, offering a meaningful way to communicate before spoken words fully emerge.
   
2. Iconic Nature of Signs:
   
   Many signs visually resemble the objects, actions, or concepts they represent. This visual connection helps children understand and remember signs more easily. Unlike spoken words, which are often abstract, signs have a direct visual link to their meanings, aiding early comprehension and communication.
   
3. Easier Processing: Signing often slows down the pace of communication, as signs are used alongside spoken words. This slower pace allows children more time to process and understand the information. Signs can also break down communication into smaller, more manageable parts, helping children grasp spoken language more effectively.
   
4. Increased Interaction:
   
   When children use signs, it typically leads to more spoken language input from parents, caregivers, and peers. Signs act as a bridge between gestures and spoken words, showing what the child is interested in or wants to discuss. This increased interaction supports the child’s overall language development.
   
5. Reduced Anxiety:
   
   Using signs can ease the pressure on children to rely solely on speech. Having an effective communication method through signing can reduce anxiety and create a more supportive environment for developing spoken language.
   
6. Dual Input:
   
   Key Word Sign combines visual, auditory, and gestural cues, engaging multiple senses and brain areas. This multimodal input makes information more memorable and aids in language acquisition. The integration of visual and auditory information enhances understanding and retention of language.
   
7. Movement and Motor Skills:
   
   The act of signing involves movement, which positively impacts language development. The gestures and hand movements used in signing stimulate the same brain areas involved in comprehension. This physical activity supports overall language growth.

For more information on how signing can benefit children’s communication development, click here.

Key Word Sign is not just a communication tool but also a helpful way to encourage speech development in children. Here’s how it supports and enhances spoken language skills:

1. Signs Aid Comprehension:
   
   Key Word Sign uses iconic signs that visually represent objects, actions, or concepts. These signs help children understand and remember the meaning of words, making it easier for them to connect signs with spoken language.
   
2. Increased Interaction:
   
   When children use Key Word Sign, it often leads to more spoken language from parents, caregivers, and peers. This extra interaction gives children more chances to hear and mimic spoken words, reinforcing their connection to signs.
   
3. Connecting Gestures to Speech:
   
   Key Word Sign helps bridge the gap between early gestures and spoken language. By learning to use signs, children can connect their gestures to meaningful communication, which supports their development of spoken words.
   
4. Multimodal Input: Key Word Sign combines visual, auditory, and gestural cues. This mix engages multiple senses and brain areas, making it easier for children to process and learn spoken language.
   
5. Reduced Anxiety: Using signs can reduce the stress of relying solely on speech. This lessens anxiety and creates a more positive environment for learning spoken language.
   
6. Motor Skills and Speech:
   
   The movements involved in signing help develop fine motor skills and coordination, which are important for speech production. Practicing sign language can support the development of these speech-related motor skills.

Key Word Sign is designed to support and enhance communication, not replace speech. It’s a valuable tool for overall language development, including helping children develop their spoken language skills.

For more information on how Key Word Sign can benefit speech development, click here.

At Sunshine Sign and Sign, we offer tailored Key Word Sign training to meet your unique needs. Our personalised training programme includes five sessions designed to work closely with both parents and children. We provide custom vocabulary and strategies to support effective communication. To get started, visit our Getting Started page.

In addition to our parent-focused training, we offer professional development (PD) training for a range of professionals including Early Learning Services, Schools, Occupational Therapists, Music Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Speech Therapists. We are also enthusiastic about collaborating with other professionals who work with children to create customised training programmes suited to your specific needs.

Our professional development training includes:

• What is Key Word Sign: An introduction to the system and its benefits.
• History of Key Word Sign: Understanding the development and evolution of this communication tool.
• How to Sign: Practical guidance on using Key Word Sign effectively.
• Recognising First Sign Attempts: Tips for identifying and encouraging initial sign use.
• Tailored Signs for Your Family or Profession: Custom core and fringe signs relevant to your context.
• Setting Up a Successful Signing Environment: Strategies for creating an effective signing environment, including techniques for using simple language.
• Common Barriers: Addressing and overcoming challenges in implementing Key Word Sign.
• Access to Resources: Both physical and online resources to support ongoing learning and application.

Please visit our training pages for parents or professionals and contact us today to discover how we can assist with your Key Word Sign needs and enhance communication for the children you work with.