More than once, I've been asked whether having Deaf parents could delay a child's speech.
The question focuses on what might be missing before asking what language is already present.
In our family, BSL has always been part of everyday life.
We use it to connect, express feelings, share ideas and understand one another.
What often gets missed is that speech and language aren't the same thing.
BSL is a language in its own right.
Being Deaf has never prevented me from sharing language with my children.
It has shaped how we share it.
REFLECTIVE QUESTION
How might our understanding of language development change when we recognise signed languages alongside speech?
