In a typical classroom at Sacramento State, the words “poop,” “diaper,” “bathroom” and other potty language are seldom heard.
But this is not a typical classroom.
“Promoting Rich Accessible Language at Home: An ASL Class for Families of Deaf Children” is a course for parents of kids to age 5 that explores Deaf culture and teaches age-appropriate American Sign Language (ASL).
The curriculum is based on “ASL at Home,” a book written by Sac State ASL and Deaf Studies program coordinator Leah Geer and Razi Zarchy, a lecturer in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSAD).
“There are no similar curricula and there are no similar classes designed for families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children that focus on daily routines,” Geer said.
The class provides parents of young children an opportunity to learn age-appropriate ways of communication in a supportive environment and benefits Sac State ASL and CSAD students preparing for careers working with Deaf populations.
Since its launch in 2021 as an online-only course, the class has served roughly 120 families. Geer and Zarchy teach four or five sections online each year.
This fall, the class is being taught in-person for the first time thanks to a Research Enhancement Support Grant (RESG). Geer and Zarchy are exploring ways to make the in-person section permanent.
“The in-person and online modalities reach different populations,” Zarchy said. “In our online classes, we have had many families who say that they feel isolated and don’t know any other parents or family members of Deaf or hard-of-hearing children in their area. The classes are a great opportunity for them to meet other people like themselves.”
