American Sign Language, Positive Psychological Effects of

American Sign Language (ASL) has been shown to enhance and increase language development in both deaf and hearing individuals. The additional use of cognitive function increases brain processing. The earlier any child is exposed to and begins to acquire language, the better that child’s communication skills will become. Research suggests that the first few years of life are the most crucial to a child’s development of language skills, and even the early months of life can be important for establishing successful communication.

Signed languages are human languages. Sign language acquisition follows a developmental trajectory similar to spoken languages. The recognition of a sign is influenced by the formational properties of sign language structure and occurs faster than spoken language recognition. Studies of attention and perception indicate ...