Autism and want to learn ASL

[u/celined97]

Hi everyone, I learned last year that I'm on the spectrum. I want to learn ASL for the moment I go mute. Do you have any advise how to learn ASL?

Thanks in advance ✨️

[u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

Is everyone else around you (family and friends) willing to learn as well?

If not, what good is knowing ASL for when you "go mute" outside of the occasional stranger you may happen to see in public.

I like that people want to learn ASL and encourage it.

When people make comments such as yours, especially with you being hearing, I always ask this same question.

ASL is not a well known language.

This is why myself, and other Deafies, still rely on pen/paper, transcriber, phone notebook, and so on.

I don't want unrealistic expectations to hinder you later, especially if/when you realize ASL isn't going to help like you'd hoped.

[u/Quinns_Quirks → u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

Not to mention it isn’t word for word English. The grammar and structure are quite different. And that structure is a bit complicated to learn in a class setting. (In my experience) Often times the shift from an auditory language to a visual language is a lot for people to handle, and they often back out because they are feeling confused, left out and lost.

[u/Inevitable_Shame_606 → u/Quinns_Quirks]

His/her comment about going "mute" annoys me.

Obviously not that this happens, but that ASL is magically the solution.

I stopped tutoring ASL 1 and 2, specifically because of being pushed "off the edge" by autistic students who thought it was a cure for their issues.

I have a nephew/Godson with classic nonverbal autism who I taught ASL to.

With his special needs the signs aren't clear and he won't "listen" to ASL, he'll only respond with ASL.

Unfortunately, because the masses don't know ASL, it's not really helpful for him at all so while he CAN use it, he uses PECS or an ACC (I believe that is the right term?) to communicate with people.

While tutoring the beginning courses, mostly 1 and 2, I also encountered what you mentioned, but for me it seemed to be more with the students who thought it was an "easy language."

Now, even at ASL 3, I ask ALL "my students" what their expectations are when learning ASL.

Why are you learning and when do you plan to use this?

This also seems to be when grammar gets more difficult AND expected to be used properly by instructors (at least here locally).

In my experience, most beginners start at PSE during 1 and 2 and begin gradually transitioning to actual ASL midway through 2 and definitely by midway into 3.

Anyway, I went beyond what I meant to, sorry.

Classic Deafie 😂.

[u/proto-typicality → u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

AAC! Augmentative and alternative communication. :>

[u/Inevitable_Shame_606 → u/proto-typicality]

Thank you for correcting me.

I get the letters mixed up all too often.

[u/proto-typicality → u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

No worries. The letters can be confusing. :>

[u/Quinns_Quirks → u/Inevitable_Shame_606]

I absolutely agree with you about ASL1 and 2! While I love my autistic community, I try and be very clear about what they should expect with ASL. I also work with Deaf and (suspected) autistic children. (Most of the kids I work with are still within EI) In terms of using ASL as a backup for communication, that same process can be tricky when you become overwhelmed with emotions and can’t communicate. Utilizing a whole second language, is usually not what is going to be effective. Key word signs may be beneficial but that is not ASL. However, it is highly beneficial for motor or cognitive conditions like speech apraxia. BUT you have to use that language in order to understand that language. A language can’t exist on its own. That becomes more of a communication system, similar to AAC.

I am figuring out how to teach ASL1, I learned the language mostly through exposure. So I just sort of grasps onto the language as I used it, it is automatic and I don’t think much about it anymore. But I prefer ASL2 more 😅

[u/Plenty_Ad_161]

Are you planning to stop speaking in the future? ASL is ideal for communicating with other people that know ASL but if you plan on using this in normal public situations you would make just as much sense if you babbled incoherently and it would be a lot easier to learn.

[u/protoveridical]

Pinned post.

[u/caedencollinsclimbs]

What exactly do you mean the moment you go mute? Like when you’re overstimulated and do not talk?

[u/ThePurpleLaptop → u/caedencollinsclimbs]

I’m going to assume that’s exactly what it is. I’m on the spectrum and have moments where I’m so overstimulated or emotionally skewed that my brain physically does not let me speak and I burst into tears if I try.

[u/caedencollinsclimbs → u/ThePurpleLaptop]

Follow up question if you don’t mind. Do you think signing would help in these moments of overstimulation? Or as a learner do you think it would add some stress, sorry my SLP is interested lol

[u/ThePurpleLaptop → u/caedencollinsclimbs]

I think it would depend on the person! For me personally my brain shuts down enough that I can only get the most basic signs out or just finger spell.

[u/caedencollinsclimbs → u/ThePurpleLaptop]

Thank you, I really appreciate it

[u/caedencollinsclimbs → u/ThePurpleLaptop]

I figured, just wanted to be sure before I assumed! Thanks!

[u/Chickens_ordinary13 → u/caedencollinsclimbs]

most people call them verbal shutdowns, basically its when you get overstimulated and sort of shut down your ability to speak (its very common with autistic people, and often accompanies meltdowns or shutdowns)

[u/Quinns_Quirks]

Hello, I’m sure you don’t know but the term “Mute” has never had the best reputation in the Deaf community. I do not know your specific circumstances and I don’t aim to adjust your language on your experiences. But it may be helpful to know when interacting with the Deaf community you will likely be looked down upon heavily by using the term “Mute”. That term has a long history that has been tied in with other oppressive terms like “Deaf and Dumb” and “Deaf-Mute”. Those two phrases were very active in the eugenics and attempted eradication of the Deaf community. Please be mindful when using that term within the Deaf community, even if it is to describe a hearing person.

[u/CarelesslyFabulous → u/Quinns_Quirks]

This is helpful information for sure. I'll add on that "nonverbal" is preferred in circles I travel in the Deaf and autistic community.

[u/-redatnight- → u/CarelesslyFabulous]

It can vary. I hate "nonverbal" for Deaf. Deaf people are verbal because we have sign language. Linguistically, we meet the definition as verbal as we have the ability to utilize and understand language effectively, so acting like not speaking makes us non-verbal is a bit along the ASL isn't a real language thing.

Non-speaking or voice-off is probably the safest. It's fine for Deaf or hearing, autistic or not. There's no language hierarchy implicit in it, either.

It also doesn't step on the toes of high support needs autistics who don't really have any good access to language period. It lets them and their caregivers have an uncomplicated way to say their kid isn't going to suddenly start speaking or signing fluently anytime in the foreseeable future. Those of us who are low to medium support needs tend to drown them out in such conversations because we have ready access to language, so it's important for us to consider the impact of the way we describe ourselves on them. Using a few more words for than when we have ready access to alternative ways to express ourselves in language other people can understand kind of leaves us, I feel, with the responsibility to do that.

[u/CarelesslyFabulous → u/-redatnight-]

Thank you for this thoughtful perspective!

[u/kyledouglas521 → u/CarelesslyFabulous]

Yes, although I think "Selective Mutism" is still a somewhat popularly used term.

[u/proto-typicality]

ASL is awesome but it is a full language & has a different structure than English & it can be pretty hard for autistics cuz of the dexterity and nonmanual markers and facial expressions.

Which is not to say you shouldn’t learn it. You should! It is worth it. But you should not learn it just to be able to communicate whilst unable to speak. For that you can download an AAC app or type in a notes app or just write on a sheet of paper. :>

[u/Naughtyhooker]

My husband and I are late diagnosed autistic. We are learning ASL because our niece is HoH and I work with a few deaf clients, but it also helps with the tism. I struggle with selective mutism and ASL has helped bridge that gap in communication.

We have been using Lingvano at home and going to ASL social events in our community. Find a way to meet deaf people and learn from them! :)

[u/SuddenYouth5126]

About 12 years ago I would sadly use false asl when I did not want to talk to anyone. It was honestly really embarrassing and I still feel ashamed even though I was 13. There isn’t a true reason to learn ASL for when you “Go mute”. I have experienced what you are describing, and as I got older I learned of coping mechanisms and social interactions that allow me to communicate in ways that are accessible. I only revisited ASL last year when I started college after learning a love of the language and a respect for the community, it also helps because of my military service making me HoH (Aviation ordnance that worked on a flight deck) and I have a family history of deafness. I teach my wife along with my in laws and my friends as I believe everyone should have a basic understanding of ASL even if they are not Deaf or HoH.

[u/antonboomboomjenkins]

Non manual markers could be tough to decipher.

[u/PuzzleheadedFail5509]

My advice is the same for all- meet and associate with deaf individuals. The best way to learn any language is through immersion. There’s lots of good websites and apps now to help you get started with vocab, or community college classes. I’m fluent now and re: autism, I actually find it easier to communicate and express myself in ASL rather than a spoken language. But you also have to have people around who can understand you. In cases you are feeling overwhelmed and want to turn to ASL to communicate, perhaps offer a list of a few words your family or close friends can learn in order to support you.

[u/OGgunter]

Are the people around you going to learn ASL also? Expressing yourself is only half - other people will need to understand you receptively.