New job I'll be using ASL in. Looking for a little advice.

Hi all. In about a week I start a new job with a girl who isn't deaf, but is mute, and uses ASL to communicate. I haven't been advised of her ability, but I'm sure it's better than mine LOL. I learned a little sign about 2 yrs ago and can handle a super basic convo. I just had a few quick questions if that's okay.

1. Name signs. I know they're discouraged and you're supposed to get them from a deaf person, but my name is very long and this girl suffers from mobility issues, so I want to make my name as easy as possible for her (she has mobility issues). It'll just be us, so I don't really see it as a huge foux pas. Can we simply use a "C," or maybe the sign for short but signed with Cs? (or is that a sign for something already? I don't want her to be calling me "cat piss" or something on accident LOL)

2. I was planning on signing half the time when I talk to her. Is this a good idea? I know she still is learning and needs to practice, and I remember it being easier to pick up if I SAW it, as well as signed myself. It's different than watching yourself in a mirror. I was also planning on bringing over my Signing Time DVDs, and practicing together.

Thanks so much. I'm really excited to actually be able to use what I learned, as well as starting a new job in general.

sassycathy said:

Hi all. In about a week I start a new job with a girl who isn't deaf, but is mute, and uses ASL to communicate. I haven't been advised of her ability, but I'm sure it's better than mine LOL. I learned a little sign about 2 yrs ago and can handle a super basic convo. I just had a few quick questions if that's okay.

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What kind of job is it? How old is she? These are important questions. If you will be a language model for the girl that is a lot more serious task than if you have only passing interaction with her.

1. Name signs. I know they're discouraged and you're supposed to get them from a deaf person, but my name is very long and this girl suffers from mobility issues, so I want to make my name as easy as possible for her. It'll just be us, so I don't really see it as a huge foux pas. Can we simply use a "C," or maybe the sign for short but signed with Cs? (or is that a sign for something already? I don't want her to be calling me "cat piss" or something on accident LOL)

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Why not just use your initials? It worked for JFK, FDR, LBJ, and MLK. When you are first introduced, spell your name and then spell your initials a couple times. Unless your initials spell a bad word, or are already used by someone else, that shouldn't be a problem.

2. I was planning on signing half the time when I talk to her. Is this a good idea?

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I don't know what you mean by "half the time." Do you mean using SIMCOM, or do you mean signing for five minutes then speaking for five minutes? Since she can hear, does she even want you to sign? Will this be in a teaching environment? It makes a difference.

I know she still is learning and needs to practice, and I remember it being easier to pick up if I SAW it, as well as signed myself. It's different than watching yourself in a mirror. I was also planning on bringing over my Signing Time DVDs, and practicing together.

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Are you supposed to be teaching her sign language?

I didn't even think of using initials...wow! Thanks, that's a great idea, especially because there's another care giver with a similar-sounding name to me.

She's in her early 20s. I'm not supposed to be teaching her to sign, no, I assume she learns that at school. But it's in her program plan to practice so she can better communicate with people. I signed up to be a caregiver, I just happened to have a little experience with ASL.

She might not want me to sign at all, I'll have to ask her; thanks for mentioning that. I just figured she might like to have someone to practice with. But you're right, she might not. I'm not really teaching her anything, but we might happen to teach each other a little bit. I'm sure she knows some signs I don't, and vice versa. She requires care 24/7, and I'd just be one of her caregivers.


Thanks for the quick reply!