Lámh ( /lɔːv/, from the Irish: lámh [l̪ˠaːw], lit. 'hand') is an augmentative and alternative system of manual communication used in Ireland by developmentally disabled and neurodivergent children and adults. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Many of the signs are adapted from Irish Sign Language (ISL), used by the Irish Deaf community. [6] [7]
Lámh was developed in the early 1980s. [8] It was discussed at the Second European Congress on Sign Language Research in Amsterdam in 1985. [9]
Lámh is not a true sign language, as only a limited number of expressions are possible. There are over 500 signs; speech is always used with signs and only key words in a sentence are signed. [8]
Lámh is intended to encourage eye contact, develop vocabulary, promote attention to movement, and relieve frustration. [10][ medical citation needed]
Lámh ( /lɔːv/, from the Irish: lámh [l̪ˠaːw], lit. 'hand') is an augmentative and alternative system of manual communication used in Ireland by developmentally disabled and neurodivergent children and adults. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Many of the signs are adapted from Irish Sign Language (ISL), used by the Irish Deaf community. [6] [7]
Lámh was developed in the early 1980s. [8] It was discussed at the Second European Congress on Sign Language Research in Amsterdam in 1985. [9]
Lámh is not a true sign language, as only a limited number of expressions are possible. There are over 500 signs; speech is always used with signs and only key words in a sentence are signed. [8]
Lámh is intended to encourage eye contact, develop vocabulary, promote attention to movement, and relieve frustration. [10][ medical citation needed]