Welcome!

I am Alicia Speare, founder of Show Me the Sign, Baby!  I am also a professional American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter specializing in Healthcare and working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients.  I have had the privilege of working with many deaf pregnant parents throughout my career and I have been able to observe how they communicate with their new-born babies.  Whether the baby is deaf or hearing, new deaf parents immediately start signing to their child just as hearing parents begin talking to their new baby.  

I noticed that in many cases, deaf parents seem to be much more observant of their babies because obviously, they don't have the advantage of hearing the innate sounds and signals babies use to express their needs.  I have always been fascinated to see how hearing children of deaf parents (known as CODA - Children of Deaf Adults) developed their communication skills and how quickly they picked up signs. Additionally, I found that these children actually began speaking sooner when surrounded by hearing family members.  Using this knowledge, my ASL skills, my love for children and after doing a lot of research*,  I decided to create Show Me the Sign, Baby!

Whether you are new parents or expectant parents, please consider using sign language with your baby. The results and benefits are amazing!  Not only will you be giving your baby the tools to communicate sooner than non-signing babies but you will also help reduce frustration, stimulate intellectual development and curiosity, provide a strong foundation for literacy and much more.     
                        "Sign and See What Happens"                  
 
 
*Ref: Baby Signs Researchers Linda Acredolo, PH.D and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D. authors of Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk (Contemporary Books, 2002)