WHY IT’S IMPORTANT FOR HEARING SIBLINGS TO LEARN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

Why It’s Important for Hearing Siblings

to Learn American Sign Language

By Ron I. Malcolm, EdD

MOST DEAF ADULTS REPORT GROWING UP IN HEARING HOUSEHOLDS WITH NO OR LIMITED ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION (DUCHESNEAU, 2007). HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT NOT ONLY THE PARENTS LEARN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILD, BUT THAT THE SIBLINGS IN THE HOME LEARN ASL AS WELL. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR HEARING SIBLINGS TO LEARN ASL?

1. Feelings of being overlooked

For many hearing parents, the first deaf person they may have met is their own child in the delivery room. However, because hearing and deaf babies look the same, the parents can be completely shocked to discover later that their child can’t hear. Immediately, involved parents may begin to divert their full attention towards the deaf child in the family. Hearing siblings may feel “overlooked and neglected” in this process of parents attending to the needs of their deaf sibling (Kluger, 2017). Involving the hearing siblings fully in the process is critical. Encouraging them to learn ASL and be able to communicate with their deaf sibling will assist them with being fully involved in the life of their deaf sibling.

2. Generalization of language skills

Children who are deaf are busy throughout the school day. They may be dealing with regular education teachers, teachers of the deaf, a sign language interpreter, a speech-language therapist, a tutor, an educational audiologist, etc. Each of these individuals is committed to assisting your child with their communication needs. However, when the child comes home, they want to deal and interact with their “parents,” not parents attempting to be “teachers or therapists.” Having siblings in the home who can communicate in ASL will assist with the generalization of their language skills from school into the home environment in a natural and non-academic way.

3. Full access to communication

Most deaf children feel overlooked during major communication times within the home. Having siblings who can utilize their ASL skills with their deaf sibling will assist with that issue. Mealtime can be particularly difficult for deaf siblings. This is a common time for family members to communicate about their daily events. Siblings who sign can ensure their sibling who is deaf can communicate with them directly and not have to access their parents to communicate for them. This allows everyone in the family to feel part of mealtime conversations, community events, bedtime stories, holiday and birthday events, etc.

4. Pass the information on to friends

Hearing children are attracted to ASL. When hearing brothers and sisters can sign, they tend to do it “naturally” throughout their day. Other hearing children at school, church, and in the community tend to notice this and ask about it. Hearing siblings who sign often encourage other hearing children to learn ASL without even fully understanding the influence they have. This can open up social opportunities for your deaf child not only in the neighborhood but at school and in the general community at large.

5. Bringing deaf adults and other deaf children into their life

One of the ways your child can expand their communication skills is to involve them with meeting other deaf children and deaf adults. Having hearing siblings who can sign will allow these hearing siblings to be involved with these interactions fully alongside their deaf siblings. Other deaf children and adults are more likely to get involved with your family if they know there is a viable means of communicating with them. Your child who is deaf will also be able to fully benefit socially, academically, and emotionally by being involved in such activities. This will assist them with developing “pride” in their deafness and not view themselves as a “burden” to their hearing families.

6. Increased bonding

The bonding between siblings will outlast the relationship they have with their own parents. Hearing siblings who know ASL have an increased capability to become effective allies with their deaf sibling. Siblings who can communicate with each other have a much better chance of developing a normal sibling relationship (Berkowitz & Jonas, 2014). This communication between siblings will also allow parents the opportunity to treat both the hearing and deaf sibling equally and ensure they are offered the same opportunities.

REFERENCES

Berkowitz, M & Jonas, J. (2014). Deaf and Hearing Siblings in Conversation. Disability Studies Quarterly. Duchesneau, S. (2007, August 31). Communication Abuse and Deaf People. ASC on the Couch. Retrieved August 31, 2007, from https://deafcounseling.com/communication-abuse-and- deaf-people/ Kluger, J. (2017). Sibling of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. The New Science of Siblings.

Ron I. Malcolm, EdD, is an Assistant Director of Special Education for a public school district, an Associate Faculty Member with the University of Phoenix, and a Special Graduate Faculty member at the University of Kansas. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree of arts (BA) in English from Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada; a bachelor’s degree in Education (BEd), Special Education from Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada; a master’s degree in Education (MEd), Deaf Education from L’universite de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada; a master’s degree of arts (MA) in Counseling from Gallaudet University, Washington, DC; a master’s degree of science (MS) in School Administration from Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas; a doctorate in education (EdD), School Leadership from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona; post-doctorate studies in autism spectrum disorders at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona; and post-doctorate studies in positive behavior supports at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. He has worked for the past 36 years in the field of Deaf Education. He has a profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and wears two Phonak hearing aids.