There are countless examples of how babies are capable of using and understanding sign language before their bodies develop the capacity to speak. Yet, when it’s a Deaf or Autistic child, we think that sign language could somehow be bad? It makes no sense! Having a foundation of language is important for so much more than just communication. It contributes to our ability to learn, to understand the world around us, as well as process the emotions and thoughts from our inner world. Behavioral problems often stem from an inability to identify, communicate, or meet their needs.

So, EVEN IF your child’s speech were to be delayed by learning sign language, speech should not be your first priority. Speech can be built upon a foundation of non-verbal language. It is much, much harder to build that foundation later in life. By denying Deaf and Autistic children access to non-verbal languages, we are handicapping them so much more than their actual disability.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, is a collective term for all the ways someone might communicate without speech. Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech, while Alternative means to use instead of speech. What does this look like?

• American Sign Language

• Signed Exact English

• Modified or Home Signs

• Gesturing

• Spelling on a Letter Board

• Pointing to pictures or written words

• Using an AAC app on a tablet

• Using a speech generating device

Some with significant communication difficulties may communicate in their own way, understood by those closest to them. I call these secret or personal languages. From the outside, it may not seem like the person is communicating at all, but when you are part of that person’s intimate circle, you will know exactly what they are trying to say.

More AAC Resources

ASL Tutors

Katharine Walker

Katharine received her Masters Degree in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University. She is 4th generation Deaf and an expressive signer. Connect with her via LessonPal for online lessons and tutoring at any level.

Katy’s LessonPal

Staci Nichols

Craig and Moffat County residents are lucky to have Staci as a local resource for learning ASL. She is available through NWCCI in the Craig office. If you need to learn ASL due to a disability, you may qualify for tutoring through NWCCI.

E-Mail Staci

Free ASL Resources

Not everyone can afford a tutor.

ASL University (LifePrint)

Lingvano APP

Oklahoma School for the Deaf

Spread the Sign (web & App)

Support Groups

Yampa Valley locals: Watch the Pilot Happenings for an AAC support group, developing in 2026.

Learning a new language is always a useful skill, but I would argue that learning American Sign Language (or your country’s official signed language, if you’re not in America) is the best foreign language you can choose to pick up. From talking in loud places, to talking without disturbing quiet places—sign language trumps verbal language in so many situations. When I learned to SCUBA, I couldn’t understand why no one bothered to learn sign language. They would buy expensive underwater writing tablets instead.

Build Your Skills

If you don’t already know any sign, then start by learning to fingerspell.

Confidence in fingerspelling = confidence in signing. If you can fingerspell, then you can learn all of your other signing through conversation. As your vocabulary increases, you will rely on fingerspelling less and less, but having a confident foundation in fingerspelling will allow you to learn without the stress of derailing every conversation to learn all the new vocabulary.

For your foundational skills, I recommend: Bill Vicar's 100 First Signs. Bill Vicars is the Deaf man behind ASL University, also known as "Life Print". As far as free resources go, this website is time tested and relatively well received by the Deaf community. I’ve heard chatter of some drama, but nothing regarding his signing. As someone who grew up signing in Ohio, then moved to Colorado, I think Bill does a great job of addressing regional variances. He is from California, and I never had issues being understood, like some people worry. There are lots of local “accents” to ASL, but it’s not so strong that you cannot be understood when you leave the area.

If you can afford to pay for instruction, Gallaudet University offers access to college level sign language courses, taught “anytime, anywhere.” These courses allow you to engage at a distance–learning whenever and wherever you choose.

Take the Leap

Going to your first silent weekend can be a nerve-wracking experience. I remember the first time I went, I felt so much pressure, I forgot everything I knew. I shook horribly every time I signed, and I would mess up my own name of all things. There may have been a bit of social anxiety at play here, as well.

Within 24 hours of arriving, signing feels so natural. I’ve witnessed it in newcomers every year. They come nervous and shaking, but by the second night, they are at ease in conversation.

The Deaf folk at these events are amazingly gracious. They are there to help the hearing learn this beautiful language, and they do an amazing job of communicating at the level appropriate to the newer signers. They may get excited and sign naturally fast and fluent at times, of course they do! This is one of the few times a year that they get to be in a space centered around their communication needs. But whenever you interact with them, the Deaf staff and volunteers are very good at judging your signing level and supporting you in communication.

Find an immersion experience near you by searching for ASL Silent Immersion Weekends. Consider traveling for one, if you can.

If you live in Colorado, or if you’re willing to fly into Denver, ASL Vibe is hosted biannually in Estes Park. It is at the scenic YMCA of the Rockies and has become one of my favorite events of the year. I cannot recommend it enough.

ASL Vibe has a vision to clone the flagship model to other locations and build a recurring collection of different types of Deaf Immersion events and experiences. If you would like to host something in your part of the world, contact ASL Vibe for guidance on getting started.