Top 20 Signs to Teach a Special Needs Toddler

As an Early Intervention Special Educator, I use simple signs to help children communicate on a regular basis. Although some parents express concern that the use of sign language may discourage their child from talking, research has shown that this is not the case.  In fact, the opposite is true.  Sign language helps to alleviate frustration and gives a child who is not yet able to verbalize a way to communicate.

When choosing which signs to teach a child, I typically recommend starting with signs for food, objects or activities that a child likes.  If you think about it, it makes total sense. Why teach a child to sign for something he/she does not want? There is no motivation in that.  Here is a list of the simple signs I teach most often and recommend for speech-delayed toddlers: 

1. All done
2. Eat
3. Drink
4. Juice
5. Milk
6. Water
7. Cookie
8. Cracker
9. Apple
10. Candy (use this for fruit snacks)
11. Book
12. Block (I typically use the sign for build as the sign for block is difficult for young children)
13. Ball
14. Car
15. Color
16. Swing
17. Me (I also use this for "my turn")
18. Give me / want
19. Animal
20. TV / movie

Sometimes children make up their own signs; this is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I would encourage it.  Remember, it is the intent that matters most!

Here are some suggestions to get you started: