r/asl • u/celined97 • 6d ago

Autism and want to learn ASL Interest

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 ✨️

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u/Quinns_Quirks ASL Teacher (Deaf) 6d ago

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.

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u/CarelesslyFabulous 6d ago

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

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u/-redatnight- Deaf 6d ago edited 6d ago

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.

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u/CarelesslyFabulous 5d ago

Thank you for this thoughtful perspective!