aboutme

Hi everyone and welcome to Sign Along!
My name is Melissa and I am the founder of the Sign Along
American Sign Language program. I am so excited that
you are interested in sign language, and cannot wait to
help share its beauty and benefits with you and your
family.

Sign Along is NOT a baby signing program. Yes, I teach
sign language to hearing babies, toddlers and children (as
well as adults), but what I offer is SO much more than
simple baby signing. American Sign Language is a language
than can be used throughout an individual's entire life,
not just when he or she is a pre-verbal infant or toddler.
Sign Along is a progressive program; my goal is to teach
both hearing and deaf children and adults the beginnings
of a language (most often a second language) that they
will have for life. With Sign Along, there is the potential
for a child, adult or entire family to walk away with
extensive knowledge of American Sign Language and its
role in the Deaf Community.

Childhood is the very best time to learn a new language,
AND based on the many benefits listed under the 'Why
Sign' link, American Sign Language is an especially good
one to learn. EVERYONE, not simply deaf or hard of
hearing adults and children, benefits from learning sign
language. This includes pre-verbal babies, hearing
children,and those with special needs.

My love for American Sign Language and the Deaf
Community is what ultimately inspired me to develop this
sign language program. I am a recent graduate of the
College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where I
majored in Psychology and American Sign Language. I am
now American Sign Language Certified as well as a
certified Elementary, Special Ed and Deaf and Hard of
Hearing teacher in Massachusetts.

Given the opportunity to teach in a third grade special
needs classroom at The Learning Center for Deaf Children
in Framingham, MA, I was able to see first hand how
essential this language that uses one's hands and eyes,
instead of his ears, is to special needs children (primarily
autistic). As another part of my education, I was
introduced to the idea of signing with typical, hearing,
infants and children as well. I found that the benefits of
signing with both special needs and typical children are
endless. You are not only providing them with an
excellent communication tool that leads to successful
learning, but are giving them the knowledge of a language
that will allow them to communicate with members of the
Deaf Community. I often find myself asking, "Why would
you NOT teach your baby or child sign language?"

I am hoping to help spread the word about the benefits
of teaching American Sign Language to hearing babies
and children, as well as provide services to deaf, hard of
hearing or special needs children and adults that would
benefit from sign language. I hope to do so while
creating a fun and loving environment where families and
teachers can enjoy some time together! Come sign with
me!

~ Melissa