We have mentioned the benefits of learning American Sign Language (ASL) for many different populations (general, toddlers, etc.), but some may not consider how positive the experience can be for those with special needs. With the rise of autism, the need for communication with these individuals has also increased, and ASL can be a powerful way to bridge that gap. Autistic children often express their needs and wants through gestures, and the unique form of language learning that ASL provides fits right in with that. Through the use of sign language, autistic children can communicate more effectively with their caregivers, teachers, other staff members and those outside the school community as well. This is a win-win for all parties as the autistic child is less frustrated, and they can learn sign language more easily and comfortably. This is also one more reason that educators, fellow students, family members and others may want to learn American Sign Language!
Category: ASL Discussions
Toddlers Learning American Sign Language? Great idea!
One population that may be overlooked when it comes to thoughts about American Sign Language is toddlers! That period in life is ripe for absorbing amazing amounts of information and engaging in active learning about the world, which of course includes acquiring language and other communication skills.
What better time to learn ASL? Toddlers already gesture in an attempt to be understood, why not apply those natural tendencies to learning American Sign Language? There are many inherent benefits to infants learning ASL. As mentioned, it encourages and strengthens language acquisition, fostering that natural progression toward speech. It provides toddlers with a means to easily express their wants and needs, making communication less frustrating for them. Subsequently, communication between parents can improve as well.
As toddlers utilize a variety of gestures learning American Sign Language, they are building important bridges in the brain, exercising synapses and making connections that can only benefit them in other areas of their learning. So, the next time that little one is refusing his peas, try distracting him with a few new ASL words, and who knows? Perhaps those vegetables will look more appetizing when he realizes how much fun they look via the interesting gestures that populate American Sign Language! Making language acquisition amusing can be a doorway to wonder for young children, enjoy it.
Benefits of Learning American Sign Language (ASL)
There are a wide variety of benefits to learning American Sign Language (ASL). Some might think that there is no point to studying ASL if they are not deaf or do not know others who are. Would it stop you from learning Spanish just because you are not of Spanish decent or have no plans to travel there? That would be unfortunate, because you never know what the future will bring and the endless opportunities that may be presented to you. Sure, if you do not live in an area where much of the population speaks a second language like Spanish, you may feel it is not worth your while. Yet, there are deaf people everywhere you go, in every city, state, country and continent across the globe.
Should you take the opportunity to learn ASL through an online program you are opening up an entirely new world for yourself! One of the obvious advantages is that you are developing the valuable skills and knowledge of a second language. A more unique advantage is that you are crossing through a door into a new culture and can make connections that many others do not have access to. You never know when you might meet people who are deaf and the positive outcomes that may result. If you learn to communicate with American Sign Language, you can use those skills to enrich your life through a deeper involvement in deaf culture.
Beyond the personal benefits of broadening your scope of friends and contacts, there are worthwhile professional aspects to consider as well. Perhaps you will decide to pursue a career in sign language as an interpreter or teacher for the deaf? Need a more practical, immediate incentive? ASL is an interesting alternative to the traditional languages offered for meeting the two-year language requirement. Still not convinced? Think about the fact that if you and a friend learn sign language through an online program you could communicate secretly with each other in the middle of a crowded, quiet room and no one would be the wiser (unless they know it too J). Besides, learning American Sign Language is fun! Try it and you will see.
What is the Connection Between Loud Music and American Sign Language (ASL)?
Just a few days ago, I was stopped at a traffic light at a busy intersection, when a slightly modified muscle car pulled up beside me. A hole had been cut through the car’s hood and some air intake piece had been installed. The motor was making a loud, horrific noise as if we were at the starting line at the drag strip. Above all the noise, two teenaged male occupants had the radio cranked up so loudly that the thumping vibrated the windows in my Buick LeSabre. I’m sure all of you reading this have experienced a similar situation. The two imitated the playing of drums on the steering wheel and the dashboard. I figured they were not taking any musical requests from the public, nor any other requests, for that matter.
As much as it was sort of entertaining and humorous to watch the two “jamming” to the music, I started thinking how they have taken their precious gift of hearing, for granted. Have they ever thought what life would be like should they lose that gift? What if the ringing in their ears over the next few years diminished their ability to clearly understand communication? How would their lives change?
Isn’t the ability to hear a miraculous wonder? However, many people do things on a daily basis that may damage their hearing. I know of one man who as a teenager, worked alongside his dad and siblings on what’s called a “buzz rig”, which is a device attached to the back of a tractor and long tree limbs and logs are placed on a moveable table. When the table is tiled forward, a huge blade cuts the wood into chunks for the fireplace or wood stove. The loud, “screaming” sounds of the saw blade passing through the log caused so much ear damage that many members of that family lost their hearing before the age of 21. I know that family well.
Think of the athletics, and casual users, who seem to be abusing their hearing on a daily basis by using ear plugs to amplify the sounds into their ear canals. Many parents have requested that their child use headphones when they listen to the music at home so the rest of the family doesn’t have to be subjected to the abuse of “Twisted Sister”, but are they aware of the damage that may be taking place?
Last week, I took particular notice at the gym of almost everyone with some sort of listening device shoved into their ear canal. Because of this, many people with perfectly good hearing are damaging this gift of hearing. Loud noises are known to damage a person’s ability to hear with 100% accuracy, and as the years pass, there will be more and more individuals who realize a severe decrease in their ability to comprehend what’s being spoken to them.
Young people often have this idea that their hearing is indestructible, but those who have abused their hearing by listening to loud music, or by being subjected to loud noises, will tell you otherwise.
Safeguard YOUR ability to hear!! There are MANY reasons for a person to be deaf or hard-of-hearing, but subjecting yourself to loud noises does not have to be one of them. Exploding loud music directly into the eardrum is not only dangerous, but it is downright foolish.
The next time you see somebody at the traffic light with the music blaring; it may not be because he likes to play it loud. It could be that he has lost his precious gift to hear at the normal volume. Perhaps you would like to print this article and place it in the door, or on the windshield, of someone you love while there still is time.
