Possible to teach signing to a 20 month old boy who doesn't speak?

My grandson is 20 months old but has never developed speech beyond mum mum mum, dad dad dad or bub bub bub (that started around 8 months). He cannot follow any instruction and only understands about 3 words (bath, no and stop - and possibly biscuit). He doesn't point or gesture, just babbles and I wonder if it's possible for us both to learn how to sign, to communicate better (because right now it's all guess work on my part!). He is going to have a hearing test shortly and is on the waiting list for speech therapy (12 months...). Help?

Hi there

Thank you for your post. It sounds like you are going through a frustrating and stressful time. It is definitely not too late to introduce baby sign language to your grandson.

Start with a small number of signs which incorporate both practical and motivational signs. The most important thing is to be consistent, each time you use that word, also use the sign. Generally the older the children are when introduced to baby sign language, the quicker they are to start signing back.

I have an article on my site on the 10 steps to signing success. If you follow this and be patient, I am sure you will begin to experience the benefits of baby sign language.

Best of luck and please let me know how you go.

Happy Signing!

Jackie

Australian Baby Hands