Celebrating National ASL Day with Sharon Sabol: Bridging Communication for All Abilities

Today, we’re diving into a heartfelt conversation with Sharon Sabol, a dear friend, devoted mother, and passionate advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. Sharon’s journey is deeply intertwined with the transformative power of American Sign Language (ASL) in supporting communication for individuals of all abilities, including her own child with Down syndrome.

With a background in special education focused on behavioral learning and experience as a SpEd teacher and Parent IEP mentor, Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our community. Her unique perspective as a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) gives her insights into the importance of ASL in bridging communication gaps, empowering individuals, and promoting acceptance and inclusion.

Join us as we delve into Sharon’s insights, experiences, and her unwavering dedication to advocating for a world where ASL supports individuals with Down syndrome and all abilities. Together, let’s celebrate National ASL Day and continue championing communication for everyone!

Sharon, could you share with us what ASL means to you?

ASL is not just a mode of communication; it’s a vibrant language that bridges understanding and connection for individuals with diverse abilities. Growing up with Deaf parents, ASL was my first language, instilling in me a deep appreciation for its expressive power and cultural significance.

How has ASL been beneficial to your child and others with Down syndrome?

For children with Down syndrome, ASL can be a game-changer. It complements their strengths in visual-spatial awareness and provides a structured communication system that enhances their speech and language development.

When talking about my son Aiden’s journey, we were always passionate about encouraging sign language with him right from the start. From his earliest months in infancy, he soaked up sign language and verbal speech like a sponge. This was true not just for Aiden, but also for our neurotypical kids; we knew we wanted to be a signing family. ASL ended up becoming a prominent part of Aiden’s receptive and expressive language, starting at around 8 months old. This meant that Aiden could express himself in sign language well before he could verbalize enough for us to understand, around age 4, which was truly a gift. Even with both verbal and sign language, he has faced challenges in communication and has experienced frustrations, but I can’t imagine if he didn’t have sign language or another communication modality to help with the breakdown.

There’s a common misconception that learning ASL can hinder a child’s verbal language development. What are your thoughts on this?

This is a misconception I’ve encountered as well. Teaching and learning ASL actually supports verbal language development by providing a visual and structured foundation for communication. I’ve seen children thrive when they have multiple avenues for expression, whether through ASL, verbal speech, or other communication methods.

Check out the Resources & Links section at the end of this post for research to dispel this myth!

As parents consider introducing ASL to their children, what advice would you give them?

Start with simple signs that are relevant to your child’s daily life. For example, “more” is a versatile sign that can be used in various contexts, from asking for more food to expressing enjoyment. Incorporate signing into routines like mealtime, playtime, and bedtime to reinforce learning in a natural way (ex: more food, more play, more kisses, etc.)

Can you share a bit about how ASL contributes to the cultural identity of the d/Deaf community?

ASL is not just a language but a cornerstone of d/Deaf culture and identity. It’s important to approach ASL with respect and understanding of its cultural significance. By learning from d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, we can gain a deeper appreciation for ASL and its role in fostering connection and community.

See the Resources & Links section at the end of this post for social media accounts to check out!

In what ways can businesses and public spaces improve accessibility for deaf individuals who use ASL?

Businesses and public spaces can enhance accessibility by providing visual aids such as menus with pictures or touchscreens, training staff in basic ASL, or using communication apps that facilitate interactions. Simple gestures like being attentive and accommodating go a long way in creating inclusive environments.

Resources & Links

ASL and Promotion of Cognitive Development: Early Sign Language Acquisition and Cognitive Development | SpringerLink

Exposure to Signed Language Supports Baby Development (verywellfamily.com)

Sign Language and Down syndrome: Baby sign but not spontaneous gesture predicts later vocabulary in children with Down Syndrome | Journal of Child Language | Cambridge Core

Busting the myth that ASL hinders speech development: Learning a Sign Language Does Not Hinder Acquisition of a Spoken Language – PMC (nih.gov)

Deaf Culture | What does “D”, “d”, and “d/Deaf” mean in the Deaf community? | Start ASL

Deaf with a Capital D vs deaf with a Lowercase d: What’s the Difference? – Lingvano ASL

Where to start learning sign?

Instagram accounts to follow: @lingvano, @whyisign,  @thatdeafeilady, @oursignedworld

Signing Time / Down syndrome PDF: signing_time_down_syndrome_guide.pdf (rackspacecloud.com)

Best at-home dictionary for kids learning ASL: https://a.co/d/eYOaGgW

https://www.signlanguagecenter.com/

A huge thank you to Sharon for taking the time to chat with us and share her invaluable insights and personal experiences. Her passion for ASL and dedication to supporting individuals with Down syndrome shines through, inspiring us all to embrace communication in all its forms. Thank you, Sharon, for being a guiding light of knowledge and advocacy in our community!