My son is deaf in Left ear, and has partial hearing in right ear - I want to teach him sign language, HOW?

I'm not sure where you are, but if you are in the US, this applies to you! :o) I am writing some fairly lengthy stuff here, so you may want to save/print this stuff and refer back, don't let it overwhelm you! If I am bringing up things you already know -- I apologize, but perhap it will be of help to another parent out there. And if you want to talk -- email me! I am an ASL Interpreter with Deaf friends.

First, your child would qualify for special education classes. As part of that he has the right to an IEP (Idividualized Education Plan). The IEP is a legal document that is developed by a "team" -- his parents, teachers, adminstrators and any advocates. It is your right as a parent to contribute and participate in the meetings and design of the IEP. The IEP will determine what services he recieves, how often, etc. If you want him to learn sign (which I think it wonderful by the way!!), you can request that he be in classes that use sign -- that may be part of the time or the full school day. Many school systems have classes for deaf and hard of hearing children. Some will promote an oral approach, some will promote sign, some will promote cued speech, some will say total communication (which USED to mean whatever works, but has come to mean sign and speak at the same time - which does not work!!!! There is research on that.) Since he has already developed spoken language, keeping what he has will probably be a focus in his education through speech training and/or auditory training.

The IEP also has to consider the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for your child. Most hearing persons, school adminstrations and government folk assume that means placement with hearing peers and not segreated (their word, not mine!) with only deaf or hard of hearing peers. I see it another way -- if a child that communicates differently because he can't hear his peers -- then he is in the MOST restrictive environment due to his in ability to freely access communication and keeping him from developing language. I firmly believe in a child's right to access language and communication first hand. That means being in a class with other deaf/hard of hearing peers that use the same communication methods/language he does. That usually means a class in the school district, but many not be the local school their sibilng will go to (due to the low incidence in deafness), or it could mean going to a school for the deaf. Almost every state has one and some states have more than one. If you do not live near one, then he could go to stay at the school and come home on weekends and holidays. If this is an option you choose. You are the parent! You get to choose! Never let the school system try to bully you into a decision that is convenient for them if it is not in the best interests of your child.

Some schools will recommend placing him in a mainstream setting with an interpreter. This is not effective, as he will need to develop sign language (receptively and expressively) *before* he can understand an interpreter. To learn it he needs immersion first.

As far as advocating and learning about options, I suggest that you contact your state's deaf school, the Council on Education of the Deaf, the American Society for Deaf Children (First year's membership is free for newly identified children!!), and your area's parent resource center. (I am including some contact information below.) Your locality or state may even have classes for parents in signing! You will have to work hard to keep up with him as his sign grows. :o) If there are no specific classes especially for parents, I would suggest classes at a local community college (or college or university). Many of them have some top notch teachers. If you become involved in the Deaf community, you may want to ask around to find who the good teachers are.

If you can get him in a pre-school class for signing deaf/hard of hearing kids, he will begin picking up all kinds of signs. he might make friends in class -- it would be great if he could get together for some play dates! And support from other parents is a good thing. :o)

You can also start introducing him to Deaf people in your area. They can be a great resource for you and your child. Their children may sign (they may be deaf, but are most likely hearing) and could provide some great peer interaction. Deaf adults and teens would be a great resource for baby sitters as well. :o) Activites in deaf communities vary around the country. In my area we have things like: Silent Lunches, Silent Dinners, Deaf Clubs, Senior Citizen groups.

Most every state has a department for deaf and hard of hearing. They may be called agencies, departments, commissions or something else entirely -- it is hard to tell! I am including some links that may help you find these places. Many times they will have libraries where you can check out materials -- books and videotapes about learning sign and a bunch of other topics.

As far as books -- I don't generally recommend them for learning sign. Sign is 3D -- a book is 2D and it is easy to misunderstand and develop bad articulation. Videos are better -- but are still no substitute for live interaction (conversations with folks or classes). Communication is a two way street, so you need to be able to understand sign as well as produce sign.

Signing with babies has become really popular lately, so there are a bunch of shows and DVDs out there. The best I have seen are the ones that are developed with deaf persons and use ASL -- not made up signs. There is also a show on PBS called "Signing Time". It is available on DVD if PBS doesn't air this show in your area. You may want to check your local library (and if they don't have it -- ask about inter-library loan!). Also check your state agency to see if they have videos for kids. This can save you a lot of money!! That way you get access to many tapes/DVDs and only buy the ones your son is really interested in.

There is new technology that can really provide powerful, positive intervention for your child. Video Relay Service (VRS) allows a deaf person to place a call by signing (through a videophone or webcam) to an interpreter, who will convey the call to a hearing person. Obviously he is still young and needs to learn sign first -- *but* that same technology can get him connected with other persons that sign. Imagine -- he can start signing with other kids or adults over the internet!! This can really open up a whole world to him for meeting people and learning sign. And if you live in a rural area, getting chances to interact and learn are harder. Imagine -- the chance to have a "penpal/signpal" from anywhere!?! Many deaf folks have videophones -- so when you go out into the deaf community see if folks would be willing to have chats with your son via video. And you will be able to use VRS to talk to your new deaf friends! There are several VRS companies out there, and some are still giving out free webcams or videophones to deaf/hard of hearing persons. They will also provide you with technical support to get hooked up. I work as a VRS Interpreter (was an educational interpreter) so I LOVE VRS! I love experiencing the connections that VRS bring everyday.

Good luck to you and your son!!

Contact your local Deaf Action Center. May not be called excatly that, but most metroplexes have at least one. And most of those have websites. Call Information, or look in the yellow pages. The Center will let you know where to find classes for both you and your son, for signing and lip reading. They will also address what legal rights you and he may have, and where opprtunities are for jobs when he is older.

They will be up on all the deaf cultural events like theatre.

Good luck, and I wish you well.

Meanwhile, watch the decibel level on the TV and other noisy stuff, and have your son stay away from headphones.You want him to be able to retain some hearing for as long as possible.

And by the way, there are classes for very young children, that ealier answer is incorect. And there are now some excellent tapes you can purchase, so you can learn at midnight if that is your free hour. Not sure where to gert them but the center may know, or the local hospital, or one of the national organizations may have a source.

Start by going to your public library. Most main branches in (US) will have a special needs section. Borrow some videos and books both for you and your son. Talk to the librarian she may know where to direct you too.

Start with food and things around the house, places you are going etc. Just try to work on major concepts and not all the little words hearing people tend to sign. Omit "the" "an" "a" but use prepositions like "on"," under," "over" etc.

Have you looked for interpreting programs at the nearest college or Parks and Recreation programs? No luck there, then look at Community college for classes you can take. If you are lucky enough to have a school for the Deaf near by, they often have classes for parents.Search on-line there are more sites than I listed here.

http://deafness.about.com/c/ec/8.htm

http://signlanguagevideos.com/

http://www.signingonline.com/

http://www.kidsdomain.com/kids/links/Sign_Language...

There generally aren't classes for children, but if you want to enroll in a sign language class, most teachers will let you bring him along.

You need to contact the school system, and have him evaluated for specialized education services. Once you go through that process, he can be put into a special class for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Because he hasn't lost all of his hearing, the council on his case may recommend he be put in an oral classroom with a speech pathologist, but you can have him put in a total communication class (both voice and signing).

This is how deaf and hard of hearing children learn sign language, because generally they are learning it as a first language, or even if it isn't, they don't have enough of a base in English to go to a sign language class like we think of for adults.

Basically, just like any other language, he is going to pick up ASL from exposure. Find a babysitter who knows signs, and bring him to deaf community events. Good luck.

Look at your local library, or at a book store under special education, or under baby books. Baby Signs, I believe, is where you can start. My son, who has special needs, but is not hearing impaired, learned signing from a speech therapist, before he learned to speak . Novel gross motor input also stimulates the speech area of the brain, so that is why. Simple signs, like fingers together, for "more", I believe, are ones he started with. There is also a PBS program that teaches sign language, not just the alphabet. Go to pbs.org, and you can find the program. I am sure there are videos on the subject. The brain is so plastitic, so now is the right time to start teaching him. I would also incorporate occupational (with an emphasis in sensory integration) and developmental therapy, to keep him on target. Sensory integration will help his mental capabilities, his coordination, his speaking abiltities, and organization of his brain. Brain Gym is a good program, get the school to provide it, but, if they won't, ask for a referral, or independent testing to determine if he needs it. A last resort is to try to get it covered under insurance. Once he knows a few signs, he can build upon that. Look for organizations that serve the deaf; they should be listed in your state's Parent Training manual, or the school should have that information, or find it online. You need support, as much as he does. Also, contact the state's health and human services division, that must have services for the hard of hearing; you can get supplies, mechanical assistance, if needed, all covered at no or low cost.

There are many types of sign language. American Sign Language (ASL) is the national language of the American Deaf culture. If I were you, I would contact your local school district and ask for help. If your child has a disability he is elligible for special education services including being taught sign language.

As I said, contact your school district, a local audiologist and/or speech-language pathologist for help.

Until then check out libraries for sign langauge books to get you some basic vocabulary, but if you are expecting him to use this potentially as his main form of communication seek the help of a professional.

Good luck!

He may qualify for free services through you local Special Ed Co Op. If not invest in a book and start with the basics such as colors, numbers, favorite foods, activities, etc. People with a hearing impairment do not spell words often however letters are used in different ways to sign a word. For instance pudding is the letter P with a motion coming up to the mouth. Also the colors are signed with the letters in different movements. Brown is the letter B next to the cheek. So it might not be a bad idea to learn the letters also. I teach my preschool class sign language and I also have a hearing impaired in my daycare (for 9 years). Eventually they want to know how to sign everything. In fact our book is out on the shelf everyday.

If you are located in USA, I would suggest contacting the American Society for Deaf Children. They can refer you to an appropriate organization in your area that may be able to provide sign language courses for both you and your son to attend.

This will give you both something to benefit from and your son may be happy that you are willing to share this experience with him.

There are a lot of good links on the websites attached as sources below.

Know your rights! If your son has not yet been tested by the Child Study Team of your school district, call now! Speech pathologists can teach him sign and also prepare him (and your family) by teaching him other forms of communication such as lip reading or cued speech.

Check your library and local organizations who assist children and adults with hearing loss or other disabilities. They can guide you as to where to find more info. I would check out Gallaudet University at http://www.gallaudet.edu/, there are lots of resources there for you.

If you are still teaching him on your own I would suggest beginning with single signs to help your son express things like "more" "want" "need" "eat" "drink" etc.. You can find these and more from many online sites with animated signs such as: http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html

http://www.signingbooks.org/animations/sign_langua...

Good luck I hope this helps you a bit!

I know that you can get books or video tapes that will help you teach signlanguage. Also, they have come out with some new things that help teach babies simple signlanguage. It might not be a bad idea to start with something like that and then move up. It won't be easy but I think it's a really good idea to start something like that when he's young. Make it a game, something fun that he enjoys doing and it will make it easier.

COMES TO MY HOUSE I TEACH HIM FIND A SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF IN YOUR AREA OR A SPECIAL ED SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. AND ASK THE TEACHER THAT SIGN TO SIT WITH THE TWO OF YOU FOR A COUPLE HOURS A DAY

FIRST THE ABC'S THE THE NUMBERS THEN THE BASIC SIGN THERE IS VTEC THING THAT CAN TEACH ASL NOW IF YOU SEE THAT ON TV I TEACH MY KIDS ASL WHEN THEY ARE BORN AND MY 2YEAR OLD BOY HE SIGN REALLY GOOD NOW THERE IS BOOKS ON IT HE IS ALSO BE APPROVE FOR SSI