Family

Questions

Listed below are common questions families often ask when they discover their child is deaf...
  • What is ASL?
  • How can I/we learn ASL?
  • Will sign language stop my baby from learning to talk?
  • How do families meet other families with deaf/hard of hearing children?
  • Will my deaf/hard of hearing child be fine?

Answers

What is ASL?

ASL is a natural and visual, language used by the signing Deaf community of more than two million people. Many professionals working with Deaf people also use it. ASL is offered as a foreign/modern language in many high schools, colleges and universities in the U.S. ASL is used with hearing children in reading programs and also with special needs children who can hear but who benefit from a visual language.  In the United States, ASL is the third most widely used language after English and Spanish.

Will sign language stop my baby from learning to talk?

There is no research that shows that signing prevents a child from learning to talk.  In fact, many early intervention studies show that early speech skills can “piggy back” on top of beginning sign skills and support the development of spoken language.

Will my deaf/hard of hearing child be fine?

​Many Deaf children provided with strong family and school support can grow up to be successful Deaf adults. Deaf people can graduate from high school, go to college, marry, have families and have successful careers.  Deaf people are found in many careers. There are Deaf doctors, teachers, CEOs, lawyers, computer programmers and so on.  There is a list of national organizations of the deaf under “Resources” for more information about Deaf people’s backgrounds, activities and events.
For more information about ASL/English Bilingual Education, click here.

How can I/we learn ASL?

Sign language classes are offered at churches, community colleges and at universities. You can even find some online classes on the internet. There are many books, DVDs, and CDs available at bookstores and on line as well.  You may click on “Resources” in the website.  It is recommended that you take sign language from certified teachers who are fluent in ASL and recognized by American Sign Language Teachers Association  http://www.aslta.org.
​In addition, interacting with Deaf adults will significantly improve your learning of sign language.   If you can meet some Deaf persons, that would increase your learning of sign language quickly.

How do families meet other families with deaf/hard of hearing children?

There are many parent support groups for families with Deaf children. Your state school for the deaf may host summer camps for families as well. Remember, you are not alone. There are many parents just like you that want to share their experiences  with you and provide support. Through those interactions you will encounter a wide variety of perspectives related to raising a deaf and hard of hearing child; however it is important for parents to be well informed and make decisions that best meet the needs of their family.  The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a national organization for families with deaf and hard of hearing children, Their website is:  http://www.deafchildren.org/.