Hello All,
I'm a hearing mother of a daughter with multiple disabilities. Although my daughter also hears it is hard to determine how she processes what she hears because she has a serious communication disorder.
I have been trying to help her bridge the gap by learning and teaching her some sign language as well as how to use PECs. She seems to enjoy sign language a great deal and responds much better to me when I use sign language along with my speech.
I purchased a video program targeted towards children called, "Signing Time" and we watch it together. I sign along with the video while teaching her how to form the signs for words that have meaning for her.
I've been very interested in sign language since I was a young girl when I first found a book that showed finger-spelling. My friends and I would finger-spell with each other to try and learn to get better at it. As I learned more about ASL I became intrigued by the efficiency and beauty of the language.
So now I'm reading everything I can find on ASL and trying to learn about the Deaf community. I have tried to find classes in my area but our local college lost their ASL director last year and has yet to find a replacement. Since I'm currently at a stand-still as far as getting a formal education, I'm studying what I can on my own by reading and watching videos.
I want to learn ASL to help my daughter but I also have hopes of opening up my social circle to include people who communicate with ASL. I've even wondered about the possibility of becoming an interpreter some time up the road, provided I can get the education and experience to develop the skills. I live in a large metro area but so far I have not had success in finding informal ASL classes or Deaf community gatherings.
I hope that by reading the posts here and asking questions that I will learn about social etiquette in the Deaf community and perhaps find a way to learn about ASL social gatherings in my area.
Mia’s Mom
I'm a hearing mother of a daughter with multiple disabilities. Although my daughter also hears it is hard to determine how she processes what she hears because she has a serious communication disorder.
I have been trying to help her bridge the gap by learning and teaching her some sign language as well as how to use PECs. She seems to enjoy sign language a great deal and responds much better to me when I use sign language along with my speech.
I purchased a video program targeted towards children called, "Signing Time" and we watch it together. I sign along with the video while teaching her how to form the signs for words that have meaning for her.
I've been very interested in sign language since I was a young girl when I first found a book that showed finger-spelling. My friends and I would finger-spell with each other to try and learn to get better at it. As I learned more about ASL I became intrigued by the efficiency and beauty of the language.
So now I'm reading everything I can find on ASL and trying to learn about the Deaf community. I have tried to find classes in my area but our local college lost their ASL director last year and has yet to find a replacement. Since I'm currently at a stand-still as far as getting a formal education, I'm studying what I can on my own by reading and watching videos.
I want to learn ASL to help my daughter but I also have hopes of opening up my social circle to include people who communicate with ASL. I've even wondered about the possibility of becoming an interpreter some time up the road, provided I can get the education and experience to develop the skills. I live in a large metro area but so far I have not had success in finding informal ASL classes or Deaf community gatherings.
I hope that by reading the posts here and asking questions that I will learn about social etiquette in the Deaf community and perhaps find a way to learn about ASL social gatherings in my area.
Mia’s Mom