Sign-language basics that help domestic workers communicate with non-verbal children

Care work is communication work. When a child cannot yet speak — or uses little spoken language due to autism, a hearing difference, or a developmental delay — the adults around them need other tools. For domestic workers who support these children every day, a basic sign vocabulary is not a bonus. It is a practical skill that makes the job safer, calmer, and more rewarding for everyone in the home.

Why even a small sign vocabulary matters

Research consistently shows that children who have a reliable way to express needs — hunger, pain, tiredness, discomfort — show fewer meltdowns and less distress. For a domestic worker managing a busy household, that is a real difference. It also builds genuine trust with a child who may otherwise feel unheard. Parents notice that trust. It becomes part of how they evaluate and describe your work.

Where to start

Singapore uses Sign Exact English (SEE) in many educational settings, though families may also use Key Word Sign or picture-based systems. Before learning a formal system, ask the child's parents or therapist which approach the child already knows. Matching the child's existing system is far more useful than introducing a new one.

If the family is starting from scratch, these ten signs cover a large share of daily needs: eat, drink, more, finished, toilet, help, hurt, sleep, stop, and please. Most can be learned from free YouTube videos or apps like Spread the Sign in under an hour of practice.

Making it stick at home

Consistency matters more than perfection. Use the sign every time you say the word. Pair it with eye contact. Respond immediately when the child signs back — even an approximate attempt deserves a clear, warm reaction. Over time, the child learns that signing works, and they use it more.

Keep a small reference card in the kitchen or on the fridge. Ask the parents to use the same signs so the child hears one consistent language across the household.

A skill worth documenting

If you invest time in learning sign basics for a child in your care, write it down. Note which signs you used, how the child responded, and any progress you observed. This kind of specific, documented experience is exactly what future employers searching for a caregiver for a child with additional needs are looking for.

At Anisya, worker profiles are built to capture skills like these — not just years of experience, but the specific competencies that make a real difference in someone's home.