Do you know ASL or use it with your LO? Please share any resources you know of that I could use to learn it and teach J!
The audiologist recommended that he learn ASL because even with the interventions we're trying his hearing will always be distorted, so I'd prefer to expose him to some form of language early on. Except if I'm going to teach him I need to get cracking on learning it too! Supposedly it's different from Baby Signs?
watermelon / 14467 posts
My parents used to sign during the worship service, so I've had some experience with it. Is there a college or community center near you that offers ASL courses? Ask your audiologist if they have any recommendations as to where you can learn it. There is also the book The Joy of Signing (the third edition won't be released until October, but the second edition is available, though it's probably a bit outdated).
watermelon / 14467 posts
Here's a link for some online lessons: http://lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lessons.htm
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I took ASL in college. It is really easy to learn and I'm not a good student normally. I'd suggest doing classes either online or in person. It's such a great tool.
pear / 1998 posts
http://www.babysignlanguage.com/basics/ This website is geared toward baby sign language, but all the signs are rooted in ASL. A blogger has also done a series on baby sign language. (Mrs Chipmunk?)
eggplant / 11824 posts
@mediagirl: I took ASL in college too; and also found it to be pretty easy to learn (basic words/phrases at least). I would check out a local community college or adult ed program; they probably have a course and it might give you some good contacts into the deaf/hard-of-hearing community. Good luck!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
Its my understanding that the baby sign language is still based off ASL. So you still may be able to find and use lots of the baby resources that are popular right now. The signs just become a bit more complex for ASL.
For a good example, the sign for "dog" is really hard and includes a snap of the fingers, so the baby sign language has a simpler version with just patting the leg.
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
@spaniellove: I took ASL all through high school and university. I love it- such a beautiful language.
It's different from baby signs in language structure- but the initial signs are the same. WeeHands is a great resource for ASL based early signs.
Check out your local hearing society chapter as well- they will probably have some great resources.
grapefruit / 4079 posts
I took several classes in college and loved it. It was pretty easy to learn. The deaf/head or hearing community is so amazing.
eggplant / 11287 posts
I will ask my sister and wall you some resources. She's a kindergarten teacher and "fluent" in ASL.
Hugs to you. 
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
My BFF majored in sign language and was an interpreter for years before she became a therapist. I'm going to ask her what she recommends.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I took ASL when I attended a community college, maybe check out classes at a local college?
papaya / 10560 posts
Grrr. My post timed out. We use MSS (morphemic sign) with our students. It is easier for them to learn than ASL, especially since we have so many children who come to us with parents who do not know any sign (shocking, I know!)
GOLD / coconut / 8266 posts
Maybe your local library or public school district might have a class you could take. I would also check your local community college. I took ASL for a year in high school and enjoyed every minute of it.
honeydew / 7916 posts
Just wanted to update!
I've been using an iphone app called My Smart Hands Baby Sign Language. It has a long list of signs you can scroll through and a short video for each one with someone demonstrating the sign and explaining it. This makes it so easy for me to look up a sign quickly and use it with LO!
I feel like he might be starting to "sign babble" a little, because we see him randomly trying to imitate the signs we use most (milk, diaper) even though he can't do it perfectly!
pineapple / 12802 posts
@spaniellove: That is a great update! So amazing how fast they catch on! I bet it's the cutest thing ever!!!!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
@spaniellove: that's so exciting! K amazes me with how quickly she picks up signs now- I'm so excited to see how your LO picks iit up! Keep the great updates coming!
clementine / 812 posts
@spaniellove: you're such a good mama seeking out these resources and learning for your babe! 
pomelo / 5041 posts
@spaniellove: What an awesome mom you are! I went to a college where they taught ASL and people were constantly signing around me. It always seemed so cool, but what a great way to communicate with your lo, even at a young age.
eggplant / 11408 posts
@spaniellove: so for whatever reason, I could not find that app, but I found a really good alternative for iPad, and we got it yesterday. I'm so excited Also, now G and J can talk when they hang out in November!
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