Learning ASL
Resources for learning American Sign LanguageLearning ASL with your Child
The American Society for Deaf Children has programs that will help you learn American Sign Language. Giving your child access to a visual language like ASL will help provide a strong foudation for learning and communication that will last a lifetime.
Learning ASL in Person
Check out our ASL Weekends – a two-day workshop that will help you take your ASL skills to the next level. All skills levels welcome!
Learning ASL Online
Want to practice signing from home? Become an ASDC member and get five free sessions of SignOn with ASDC. You’ll sign in real time with a Deaf adult. You can choose your topics of conversation, schedule sessions as a time that is most convenient for you, and go back and watch your recorded sessions for more practice! SignOn also has a program for kids called “Friends Like Me” where your child can chat weekly with a group of kids their age.
In addition ASDC regularly offers online classes and webinars.
Learning ASL through Reading
Find hundreds of popular children’s story books in our ASL Stories Directory. Link out to free videos of ASL interpretations of the stories. You can even watch several different interpretations of the same story! Look up books alphabetically by title or by your child’s age.
Recent Blog Posts: ASL Resources
ASL (Music) Videos of the Week: STAR SPANGLED BANNER + AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Watch Deaf rapper WAWA perform the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful in American Sign Language to celebrate the 4th of July!
ASL Video of the Week: CINDERELLA
Watch a video of the classic fairy tale “Cinderella” told in spoken English and American Sign Language (by comedian Keith Wann).
ASL Video of the Week: HOLD
This week’s ASL video takes a deep dive into the word “hold” and gives examples of its uses in English and ASL.
ASL Video of the Week: HOW THE ELEPHANT GOT ITS TRUNK
Watch a video of the children’s book “How the Elephant Got Its Trunk told in American Sign Language. Great for kids ages 4 and up.
Newsletter – May 2021
ASDC Newsletter May 2021:
New Fingerspelling App
May Signs Video
New Documentary about Deaf Students on Netflix
Authentic Assessments for Deaf-Blind Children
Spanish Language Support for Latino Parents of Deaf Children
New VideoPhone from Sorenson
…and more!
ASL Video of the Week: ASL LESSON WITH SHAYLEE
Watch an ASL lesson with Shaylee from the Netflix move “Feel the Beat” and learn some of the American Sign Language signs used in the film.
Research Study on Multilingual (ASL, English + Other) Families
Raising a deaf or hard of hearing child with English, ASL, and another spoken language? You can participate in a research study!
ASL Video of the Week: LOVE YOU FOREVER
Watch this ASL video of the book “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch – a powerful reminder how unconditional love between a parent and child.
ASDC Releases Fingerspelling App
ASDC and Hello Monday just launched a free web app that uses machine learning to give you instant feedback on your ASL fingerspelling skills!
ASL (Music) Video of the Week: FIREFLIES
Watch this fun ASL music video of the song “Fireflies” by Owl City performed by 22 students at the DPAN ASL Music Camp.
ASL Stories Directory
We’ve made it easy for you to find hundreds of free videos of ASL retellings of your child’s favorite books. Search for stories by your child’s age or by the book’s title.
Practice ASL online!
Sign with a Deaf adult in real time and choose your conversation topics. Or your child can join “Friends Like Me” and chat with other deaf and hard of hearing children their age once a week. ASDC members get 5 FREE sessions (a $125 value). Not a member yet? Join ASDC.