O VALOR DA LÍNGUA DE SINAIS NO DESENVOLVIMENTO AFETIVO, COGNITIVO E SOCIAL DA PESSOA SURDA

THE VALUE OF SIGN LANGUAGE IN THE AFFECTIVE, COGNITIVE, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF DEAF INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

The deaf student is a human being who is interested, analyzes, criticizes, makes analogies, possesses knowledge, and expresses feelings. They communicate through Sign Language and, like hearing children, have the same key characteristics essential for their intellectual, affective, and social development. The inclusion of deaf individuals, as per current proposals, has been carried out randomly, without considering their real needs. It is necessary to seek outcomes that go beyond mere socialization in the school environment.  The objective of addressing this topic is to reinforce the value of Sign Language in the affective, cognitive, and social development of deaf individuals. Teachers still struggle to accept Sign Language, as oralism remains dominant and is heavily imposed on deaf individuals, thus hindering their inclusion and development process.  The research was conducted through a bibliographic review. Studies on Sign Languages have shown that acquiring it as a first language can foster linguistic, cognitive, and affective-emotional development in deaf individuals. The use of both Portuguese and Libras promotes the bilingual philosophy, thus enhancing the overall development of the deaf.