Lámh
# Lámh

Lámh (/lɑːv/, from the Irish: lámh, lit. 'hand') is an augmentative and alternative system of manual communication used in Ireland by developmentally disabled and neurodivergent children and adults. Many of the signs are adapted from Irish Sign Language (ISL), used by the Irish Deaf community.

## History

Lámh was developed in the early 1980s. It was discussed at the Second European Congress on Sign Language Research in Amsterdam in 1985.

## Features

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.

Lámh is intended to encourage eye contact, develop vocabulary, promote attention to movement, and relieve frustration.

