Both of my children were speech delayed. I was lucky and found American Sign Language (ASL) early, we could communicate. I have a hearing friend whose children are Hard of Hearing (HH) and Deaf. Another friend has a 2 year old who has no words. And I keep meeting more whose children need ASL for various reasons. It is hard for everyone at times. Finding resources that span the hearing gamut are difficult to find, and confusing when dealing with Doctors, Government agencies and Speech Therapists. My main goal is to help families communicate with their children. If a child is born to Deaf parents they can start signing as early as 6 months. My children started signing at about 12-18 months, but that was because I did not sign regularly.
Hearing parents with Deaf, HH, or speech delayed children have many choices ahead of them. My goal is to focus on helping a parent first establish language and communication with their child and let other decisions come after that communication is established, and when possible with the child.
In person Resources
Deaf Worship
- Lauelglen Bible Deaf Church
- Deaf Church of Christ
- Kingdom Hall
- Serves needs of dead and HH residents in Kern County. They hold many events throughout the year and act as a coordinating agency to address social service needs of the people within Kern County.
- Offers ASL 1 courses multiple times a year.
- Offers ASL 1-4 courses in Fall, Spring, Summer and Winter Semesters. They also offer AA in ASL and some community events throughout the year.
- These are appropriate for late HS- adult
- These schools are the most prepared to teach our Deaf and HH children. ASL fluent teachers are readily available, and many hearing children take ASL courses offered so they can speak with their Deaf and HH friends. Any child that is Deaf or HH in Bakersfield has a right to attend this school system.
- hold frequent events for Deaf community and those learning ASL including monthly ASL Story Time and Starbucks nights.
ASL Junction
- Family support and socializing group for Dead, HH, Special Needs, and Hearing children of all ages that want to learn ASL
- Story and Activity times at SW and Beale Library
- Play group time to practice and learn new signs
- Not meant to take place of ASL classes
- California Chapter of a non-profit parent driven organization that exists to support families with Deaf and HH children.
- Have great lists of resources for those who just found out their child is Deaf and are not sure what to do next in California.
- Advocacy site for Parents of Deaf Children for educating families on the benefits, challenges, and needs of their Deaf and HH children
- Given University status in 1986 by an act of Congress. Gallaudet University is the leading resource on education, career opportunities, open communication and visual learning, Deaf history and culture; ASL, and impact of technology on the Deaf community. Its humble beginnings began in 1856 and since 1864 each U.S. President is considered the Patron of the University.
- Offers Online ASL courses I-III
- Created Setting Language in Motion: Family Supports and Early Intervention for Babies who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Great place for Hearing families to start to build vocabulary- 1,000+ signs and Grammar with their new series. Ages 0-8
- Offer free PDF guides Speech Delay, Autism and Down Syndrome
- Different video series depending on age of children and their needs.
- Deaf family of 4 who teaches signs with short (2-10 min) you tube videos and on Facebook.
- Videos have no music or words, similar to traditional ASL classes in short form
- Children teach, conversational sign and vocab videos- 800+ signs. Ages 0-8
My Deaf Child- Classes for HH/ Deaf families
- From creators of Signing Time 50 ASL Lessons that covers your 1st year in a college ASL class. Ages 8+
- Lessons include well known people in the Deaf Community inclduing: Rachel, Alex, and Leah from Signing Time, ASL Comedian Keith Wann, and ASL story teller Peter Cook.
- Only for families with a child that is Deaf or HH under the age of 3- FREE
- From creators of Signing Time 50 ASL Lessons that covers your 1st year in a college ASL class. Ages 8+
- Lessons include well known people in the Deaf Community inclduing: Rachel, Alex, and Leah from Signing Time, ASL Comedian Keith Wann, and ASL story teller Peter Cook.
ASL University- Free or paid Classes
- Resource site can take ASL classes 1-4 free or little charge with videos, great dictionary and practice tools, and advice. The Teacher is HH and teaches at California State University Sacramento. He answers emails from students from his site within reasonable time frame as well.
- You can also pay for a college credit course on his site as well.
- Great way to supplement what you are learning and learn ASL grammar.
