Identifying Atypical Sign Language by Bilingual Speech Therapy Clinics and Schools for the Deaf

Abstract

The atypical sign language is a linguistics-based dysfunction expression that is manifested in the language processing of the deaf and may jeopardize the comprehension and/or production of sign language. The objective of this paper is to present a description of referral cases identifying the use of atypical sign language in a partnership case between a bilingual speech therapy clinics and schools for the deaf in the city of São Paulo. For this study, interaction and contact procedures between professionals at a bilingual speech therapy service and schools for the deaf were registered. The flow of initial referrals accomplished for the health clinics are described and analyzed. Out of fifty-three referrals for screening, fifteen failed in the speech therapy screening and were evaluated using the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). Following the conclusion of the evaluation, those deaf students who presented a diagnosis of atypical sign language were referred to sign language-based speech therapy.