published Sign Language Structure, it advanced the idea that American Sign Language was a complete language. Over the next few decades sign language became accepted as a valid first language and schools shifted to a philosophy of "Total Communication", instead of banning sign language. Wyatte C. Hall says that sign language is important for the development of Deaf children growing up because without it, they could be at risk of many health difficulties. Studies have shown that the development of neuro-linguistic structures of the brain can be affected if there is a language delay. A study showed that there is an “age of acquisition” that affects adults' ability to understand grammar based on when they were introduced to sign language. Data now shows that children who are heavily exposed to sign language as early as possible are better at reading English than children who are not exposed to sign language. See also Sign language American Sign Language Manually coded language Fingerspelling Oralism Deaf education History of deaf education in the United States References External links History of sign language in the United States (American School for the Deaf Website). History of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (sign language in the UK). American Sign Language (ASL) History Lesson Pablo Bonet, J. de (1620) Reduction de las letras y Arte para enseñar á ablar los Mudos, Biblioteca Digital Hispánica (BNE). First Complete Sign Language Bible Education for the deaf