Background on Lámh Signs, Links, and Websites

Before we begin, there are certain rules in sign language as mentioned in the Lámh handbook. These will help us as we begin to learn Lámh: 

• Always say the word with the sign (obviously this is not possible for everyone until speech develops) 
• Don’t cover your mouth 
• Use facial expressions and body language with the signs 

• Make the sign accurately at all times (Young children will take time to master the signs) 
• Face the person and make sure you have his/her attention 
• Do not hold things in your hand while signing 
• Sign in the signing space (This is from the waist outwards and up to and including the face and shoulders) 
• For more than one, e.g. dog(s), cat(s), make the sign twice 

• If the sign involves one hand, use your dominant hand 

Background 

• Lámh sign language is based on Irish sign language (ISL) with some adaptions. 
• Sign language is used to bring on communication and can be used from when your baby starts to show simple signs of communicating. It can be used into adulthood if necessary and if not necessary it is a lovely form of communication to have to be able to communicate with people who use it as their only form of communication. 
• It does not delay communication in any way, rather it brings it along and parents and caregivers can understand a child long before they would have ever been able to if waiting for the spoken word.  

• In response to a child’s sign where the child cannot speak yet or indeed has difficulty with their speech, the carer /parent/educator can model the word along with the sign and the child will hear the word being modelled and begin in time to drop the sign and just use the word. For children who grow up not being able to speak or having difficulty speaking, due to an additional need they will at least be able to communicate by sign plus speech, or sign alone, depending on the case. 
• Also if you know what a child is trying to say in the form of speech but is struggling to say, you, can prompt by giving the sign to them. They in turn will often say the word and use the sign too. 
• It is best to learn in a face to face training situation where your tutor shows you how to make the signs and you can check in with the tutor if you are actually making the sign correctly.  
• At this moment in time, when that is not possible, learning by watching the videos may help. 

Links and Courses 
Please follow these steps to get free access to Lámh Signs Online until the end of May 2020 : 

1. Go to www.lamhsigns.org 
2. Click on Apply for Membership 
3. Enter the code: lovelamh 
4. Fill in your name and email 
5. Check your emails to get the link to create your own password 
6. Login and see all signs. 

With the current stay at home measures in place, Lámh is offering free and open access to Lámh Signs Online until May 31st 2020. This resource has videos of all 580+ Lámh signs, including timely signs like Wash Hands, Space, Hot, Clean, and Doctor. Usually Lámh users, their families and staff who support them start to learn Lámh signs face-to-face at a training course with tutor support. Currently Lámh training courses are postponed, routines have been upended, and families are at home. During this unsettling time, this temporary access will give support to Lámh users, staff working with Lámh users and other communication partners. 

The following website gives you some nice little info                  https://www.lamh.org/communication/l%C3%A1mh-school 
Contact Lámh at T: +353 59 9139657 
 E: [email protected] Hours: 9am - 5pm, Mon to Fri. ​

​CD available with lovely songs for the younger children. Available from Lámh head office.   See sample on the link below 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr-VFbrnGs4