I need to find a certified sign language instructor in the michiana area.?
I have clients in 2 basic developmental group homes who know some sign language, but there is a possibility that one of the homes may be getting a new client who is deaf, and this is his primary form of communication. The staff are concerned (and rightly so) about their lack of skills in this area, and I must admit, I am lacking a bit, myself. I would like to find a skilled/certified sign language instructor to do perhaps a 2-3 day workshop? or if anyone knows of any sign language classes being taught(not in a university setting)? The group homes that I am a Q for are approximately 25 minutes from south bend, IN. Our main office is in Warsaw, IN.
Since you do not want a university setting, here is an option that you may consider:
http://www.signingonline.com/
They offer web-based courses, designed to effectively teach you American Sign Language (ASL) at your own pace from anywhere in the world. The courses focus on conversational ASL and make extensive use of digital video to demonstrate the visual nature of signing. The courses are perfect for anyone wanting to learning ASL. State Board Approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available to educators and Continuing Education (CEs) contact hours are available for nurses.
What different types of sign language exist?
I know there is ASL (American Sign Language), but I doubt they’d use that in other countries. I think there’s also BSL (Basic Sign Language), but I’m not sure if there is anything else. I read that there isn’t any universal sign language, so my question is what other types exist? What would one use in Australia, the U.K., etc?
Could BSL mean British Sign Language and not Basic Sign Language?
I'll say British Sign Language for BSL.
You are right about the fact that it’s not a universal sign language. People tried to create such a think, but it doesn’t work for the same reason it’s almost impossible to create an international spoken language: languages are tight to a determined culture and background.
In the field of sign languages, it’s remarkable that even in countries with the same oral language, not always it’s used the same sign language. Take the case of English and the countries where this is the official language. In the States and most parts of Canada, the Deaf community uses ASL (American Sign Language), In UK BSL (British Sign Language), and Australia Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and so on. Each of them with their own structure, vocab, idioms, and even fingerspelled alphabet.
The same can be said with Spanish. You have LSA (Argentinian Sign Language), Spaniard Sign Language, Colombian Sign Language, Ecuadorian Sign Language, Mexican Sign Language, etc.
For some more sign languages this link can be useful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sign_languages
baby sign language experiences?
My daughter is 8 1/2 months old we have been teaching her some basic sign language since she was born. We do the basic such as mom, dad, milk, more, eat, all done and well since last month i’ve started noticing that she does the sign for milk. But she doesnt sign milk to ask for it, she signs milk while she is drinking it from her bottle. She also signs milk while she is eating food (i assume it is because she is eating). Did your child start signing this way? So far she can say papa (dad) mama (mom) and mas (more) we do mostly speak to her and spanish and sign to her in spanish.
how did your baby start signing? how long after you started teaching them did they start signing?
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question.
I use the “Baby Signing Time” dvd’s and they are fabulous! My 22 month old did his first sign at seven months (more) and my 10 month old did her first sign at seven months also (ball). When my son started to sign it was not always to ask for something. I just took it as him wanting to communicate so I responded by going through the signs and relating them to items he could see and touch. It didn’t take long before he was signing the appropriate sign for what he wanted to say. My daughter on the other hand only signs when she wants something she does not “play” with language the way my son did, she seems to be a very serious baby. I started teaching them both at 3 months. Some people fear that teaching them to sign slows down their speech, but I have found with my kids it has promoted speech. My daughter says momma. dada, bubba (her brothers), hi, and baby. My son is talking in full sentences. Our experience has been wonderful.
sign language for babys?
in the future when i have kids id like to teach them basic sign language, you know like eat, more, sleep, stuff like that when their like 1, but im afarid it may cause them to be slow when it comes to speaking when they get older, do you guys know how it works excatly?
I use sign with my children, start at about 6 months, my 1 year old was using then herself effectively by 8 months, none of my children are speech delayed, you talk when you sign, not just sign, say eat, sign eat, say play, sign play, say more, sign more, lol no pun intended. Children have only a handful of words at a year, my daughter signs 20 words, and can communicate what she wants and needs, if i hadn't taught her, she would be screaming at me in the middle of the night, wanting a hug, while i keep giving her drinks, blankets, bears, new diapers, and exhausting us both, Instead she gets up says mom, and signs what she wants, and goes back to bed, its great, we're working on dog and cat now 
Does anyone know a website that I can learn American Sign Language?
I’m looking forward to learn American Sign Language so does anybody know a website that can help me learn American Sign Language starting from the basics and easy to comprehend?
this site is very easy to follow. ASL University It is also available on CD.