Do Developmental Communication Disorders Exist in the Signed Modality? Perspectives From Professionals

Abstract

This study focused on whether developmental communication disorders exist in American Sign Language (ASL) and how they might be characterized. ASL studies is an emerging field; educators and clinicians have minimal access to descriptions of communication disorders of the signed modality. Additionally, there are limited resources for assessing ASL acquisition. This article is designed to raise clinicians ‘awareness about developmental communication disorders in ASL and categorize types of atypicality that have been witnessed.