According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, two to three out of every 1,000 children are born deaf or hard-of hearing in the United States.
These individuals learn to communicate through American Sign Language, but there are many advantages to learning the signs for those who are able to hear.
ASL, the main language used by deaf communities in the US, is estimated to be one of the six most-used languages in the US, and OU offers three levels of American Sign Language classes, which fall under the Communication Sciences and Disorders department.
“It is recognized by professionals in the speech and hearing field that hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, and learning,” said Lisa Koch, adjunct professor of American Sign Language. “The earlier hearing loss occurs in a child’s life, the more serious the effects on the child’s development.”
Students in the classes learn the manual alphabet, vocabulary and grammar as well as about aspects of deaf culture.
“Learning ASL develops awareness and sensitivity to cultural and linguistic diversity,” Koch said. “Learning ASL also gives students the opportunity to identify, question and challenge one’s own cultural assumptions, values and perspectives.”
For Shelby Swafford, a senior studying communication sciences and disorders, learning ASL wasn’t just to fulfill a class. She began learning at the age of two from her parents in order to communicate with her younger brother who is deaf.
Swafford is currently the president of the OU ASL Club, a group comprised of students from a variety of majors where no background in ASL is needed to join. ASL Club meets every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Grover E. 205.
“We try to bridge the gap with the deaf and hearing community,” Swafford said.
Students on campus aren’t the only ones in Athens learning sign language. Athens Birth Circle, a community group that provides support and discussions for families with children or women who are expecting, recently hosted a class on teaching sign language to young children.
“Sign language is something they can do because they already have the skills,” said April Dunaway, a volunteer with the Birth Circle and the instructor of the class. “It helps reduce tantrums, increases confidence and builds manners.”
Koch agrees that sign language is vital to the development of children’s communication.
“Sign language gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to model effective communication and also reduces the frustration level that occurs when a parent or caregiver doesn’t understand what a child wants or the child cannot express what they want verbally.”
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