What does learning ASL look like for hearing parents?
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Research tells us that exposing deaf and hard of hearing children to ASL from an early age has a wide range of benefits, spanning language, social development, cognitive development, and school readiness. But how do hearing parents learn ASL?
Our experience has been very positive. All have learned so much and felt so supported. My anxiety over communication barriers has decreased tremendously.
Learning a new language can be a daunting task and one that takes a lot of time and effort. In a recent study, we wanted to better understand the experiences of parents of deaf and hard of hearing children who had endeavored to learn ASL.
My son deserves to have access to communication in his house and deserves to have a family who can communicate with him…. I will do everything I can to learn his language.
Parents shared that they used a range of sources for learning ASL, from books and websites, to classes, to tutors. Parents also shared challenges they encountered, which included time, accessing resources, and being confident in their own abilities to learn a new language. While every family’s journey is unique, the shared experiences in this survey highlight the value of persistence, flexibility, and community support.
My biggest success is being able to communicate freely with my daughter
Practical Takeaways for Families
From the experiences shared by parents, here are a few actionable suggestions:
Start small and stay consistent: Incorporate ASL into daily activities like mealtime or playtime. Regular use helps the whole family build skills over time.
Use multiple resources: Combine formal classes with apps, books, and online videos to support learning.
Get involved in your local Deaf community: Participating in Deaf events can provide real-life practice and insights into Deaf culture.
Be patient: Learning ASL is a journey, and caregivers don’t need to be fluent in ASL to have a positive impact on their child. Focus on making progress rather than achieving perfection.
Learn together as a family: Involve siblings and extended family members to create a shared learning environment.
Learning ASL is a rewarding way to strengthen family bonds and ensure your child feels included and supported. By sharing these findings, we hope to empower more families to embrace ASL as a vital tool for connection and growth.
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