happy2bg33k

There's a whole lot of research that supports providing non-verbal children with an alternative language, be it ASL, a different version of sign or a PECS system. Firstly, from a neurological standpoint it has been shown that a language system can help to stimulate the language center of the brain and make it more susceptible (if you will) to learning other languages and even ease the transition to speech if that's a possibility. Secondly, from a parental and educator standpoint it may ease some of the behavioral symptoms a child shows due to the frustration of not being understood or having others speak for them. For any non-verbal child it would be a very good idea to have an augmentative communication evaluation done. They are often done by specially trained speech professionals who can help parents decide what type of system and/or device will help a child communicate to the best of his ability.