Psychic, cognitive and language development using Italian Sign Language. Coffin Siris syndrome: analysis of a case study
Valentina Colozza
This article presents the case of a child affected by Coffin Siris syndrome who for two years has been using Italian Sign Language to help her improve language, communication and psychic development. F. is a 9-year-old non-verbal child who accessed our structure after years of speech therapy and psychomotricity, presenting a good understanding of the Italian language and a basic means of communicating through the use of a tablet, certain gestures and writing. Despite strong signs of dyspraxia, lack of attention and the inability to hold eye contact with her interlocutor, F. is now able to use sign language to intentionally communicate feelings and wishes. Language development and psychotherapeutic process have allowed a good recovery for cognitive and executive functions, and also for psychic development. We will demonstrate how the development of language has allowed a near total recovery of executive functions and a harmonic psychic development. The article will discuss the methods of intervention and the results achieved.
Keywords
Coffin Siris syndrome, Sign language, No speech, Language and communication, Rehabilitation.