Time To Learn Asl

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

I just recieved news that my 2 1/2 year old nephew is indeed deaf. Strangely I am up lifted by the news. As a family we have been suspecting something was not quite right with his hearing, and it is good to finally have a definitive diagnosis. As well it is so encouraging to see everybody in my family jump on board and immediately start researching ASL so that we will all be able to communicate with him. Sure, it will be a struggle but it one that I think will bring us closer together.

I had also been toying with the idea about learning sign language anyway since our deaf community is under served in general IMHO. On the selfish side maybe if I get accepted into seminary the Archbishop won't make me learn Spanish in leu of ASL.

As always prayers are appreciated and if anybody has any good resources to start out in basic ASL and then ecclesiastical sign...I would be appreciative.

[Vincent Vega]

http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lessons.htm
Wouldn't be a bad idea to learn Spanish, as well, as there are only about 2 million deaf individuals in the US (http://libguides.gallaudet.edu/content.php?pid=119476&sid=1029158) but some 37 million Spanish speaker (http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1YR_S1601&prodType=table) not a few of which might consider themselves Catholic.

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

I'm not saying Spanish wouldn't be good or that more people don't need to learn it...I just personally don't care for the language itself...I studied it for 2 years and it never clicked withing me. French, yes...Amharic, yes...Arabic, yes...I'm not saying I would refuse to learn it, but it would be out obedience and not out of desire.

[Spem in alium]

You & your family will be in my prayers. Deafness can be very isolating, especially if knowledge of sign language is not common. It's great that you are supporting your nephew like this.

[CatherineM]

I did a crash course many moons ago. I was a camp counselor in the summer and was going to have a deaf girl in my group. It helps if you are good with your hands. Constant practice helps too. I would try to sign along while watching the news.

[PhuturePriest]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1345034591' post='2467898']
I did a crash course many moons ago. I was a camp counselor in the summer and was going to have a deaf girl in my group. It helps if you are good with your hands. Constant practice helps too. I would try to sign along while watching the news.
[/quote]

Bahaha. I take it you didn't do it along to Juan Williams? That guy never shuts up.

In all seriousness, I will pray for your nephew and your family. Being deaf isn't easy, especially for the parents. But God knows what he is doing, and I am sure he has an idea in mind.

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

During my Internet Search I found a stat that cliams that 72% of families with a deaf child do not sign...This makes me so proud of my family to think that we all parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, cousins, everyone is behind learning how to sign so that our little Noah is not lost to the world by not being able to communicate with us.

Thank-you everyone for prayers.

I thought my Phamily here would also enjoy the news that without any input from me my sister decided the first signs to learn as the sign of the day is "taco".... Mission complete for me

[Tally Marx]

If I go for it, my masters will be in Deaf Education.
I'm glad to hear that your nephew has brought your family together. It is difficult having a loved one who is deaf, because it is difficult being deaf. He will need a committed family. I will be praying for you.

ASL is very useful. People always associate it with those who are deaf, and assume that it is only used for that class. However, ASL has many other applications. It is often taught to those with speech or learning impediments (ie, children with Down Syndrome). Many hearing people use ASL.

Edited August 15, 2012 by Tally Marx

[franciscanheart]

We began to learn ASL as a family when it was believed my brother was deaf. I still sign a little bit, but only enough to communicate very basic thoughts, ideas, or questions -- the same basic things I would be able to say or ask in Spanish should the need arise.

Good luck to you and your family! It's not incredibly difficult, but it does take some practice.

I, too, hope to learn ASL (for real) some day. Maybe we can sign at a phamily meetup!

[Luigi]

Start with Continuing Education classes at the local community college - it's the cheapest, and there's no grade pressure. If they don't offer ASL, look for the local Deaf club - if you live in a city of any reasonable size, there's a Deaf club somewhere in town.

For those who are more serious about it, try credit classes at the local community college. You can certainly go to a state university or a private college, but the classes will be much more expensive.

Prefer to learn from Deaf instructors who do not voice at all in class. Most non-Deaf instructors talk the subject to death but the students seldom raise their hands. You'll need the receptive skills at least as much as the expressive skills - A Deaf instructor provides a lot more receptive practice.

Get your nephew around as many Deaf people as possible, as often as possible, and as soon as possible. The Deaf are a very welcoming community, in general. As one high-status individual in the Deaf community has put it, "He may be your child, but he's my [i]people[/i]."

Your state probably has a state school for the Deaf, and the state school probably has an outreach program for hearing parents of Deaf children. Look 'em up on Google.

Think of Deafness not as a physical disability but a communication disability. Don't think of your nephew as "He can't hear" - think of him as "He gets most of his information through his eyes."

You are about to enter a [i]very [/i]interesting world.

[Groo the Wanderer]

[quote name='franciscanheart' timestamp='1345048161' post='2468001']
We began to learn ASL as a family when it was believed my brother was deaf. I still sign a little bit, but only enough to communicate very basic thoughts, ideas, or questions -- the same basic things I would be able to say or ask in Spanish should the need arise.
[/quote]

where is the bathroom?

three tacos please.

i didnt do it nobody saw me do it you cant prove a thing.

i swear the llama was eighteen your honor.




those kinds of things...

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

[quote name='PadrePioOfPietrelcino' timestamp='1345008782' post='2467818']
I just recieved news that my 2 1/2 year old nephew is indeed deaf. Strangely I am up lifted by the news. As a family we have been suspecting something was not quite right with his hearing, and it is good to finally have a definitive diagnosis. As well it is so encouraging to see everybody in my family jump on board and immediately start researching ASL so that we will all be able to communicate with him. Sure, it will be a struggle but it one that I think will bring us closer together.

I had also been toying with the idea about learning sign language anyway since our deaf community is under served in general IMHO. On the selfish side maybe if I get accepted into seminary the Archbishop won't make me learn Spanish in leu of ASL.

As always prayers are appreciated and if anybody has any good resources to start out in basic ASL and then ecclesiastical sign...I would be appreciative.
[/quote]
[quote name='PadrePioOfPietrelcino' timestamp='1345008782' post='2467818']
I just recieved news that my 2 1/2 year old nephew is indeed deaf. Strangely I am up lifted by the news. As a family we have been suspecting something was not quite right with his hearing, and it is good to finally have a definitive diagnosis. As well it is so encouraging to see everybody in my family jump on board and immediately start researching ASL so that we will all be able to communicate with him. Sure, it will be a struggle but it one that I think will bring us closer together.

I had also been toying with the idea about learning sign language anyway since our deaf community is under served in general IMHO. On the selfish side maybe if I get accepted into seminary the Archbishop won't make me learn Spanish in leu of ASL.

As always prayers are appreciated and if anybody has any good resources to start out in basic ASL and then ecclesiastical sign...I would be appreciative.
[/quote]

I really enjoy and am greatful to the LORD that you can find an oppurtunity for the greater good in the face of what may seemingly be bad news or at least a struggle. GOD bless you brother in christ. Hope is a powerful weapon against the enemy.

[MissyP89]

Deafness is unique in the sense that people who are Deaf establish their own culture. (That's why you'll see many people capitalize the D -- it's widely considered a cultural identity, and many Deaf people are extremely happy to be so.)

Basic things to know:

*in ASL, your punctuation and "tone" are all communicated using your face. Some of the expressions look a little exaggerated at times, but the clearer your expression and body language are, the clearer your meaning will be.

*When all else fails, spell out the word. When you come to a word you don't know a sign for and you're talking with someone who knows ASL, ask "How-sign-(spell the word here)?" Most people are thrilled you're making the effort and will be very glad to help.

*When spelling, try to keep your hand as steady as possible. A bouncing hand would be like stuttering in spoken words. You can always hold your forearm with your non-dominant hand.

And an amazing dictionary: www.aslpro.com. The quizzes are great. And notice they have religious signs, too!

God bless you. I had a bunch of Deaf friends in high school (took 4 years of ASL as an elective) and it was a real gift.

[Vincent Vega]

For a semi-related story that's pretty interesting, read about [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha's_Vineyard_Sign_Language"]Martha's Vineyard Sign Language[/url] sometime.