Leslie Patricelli

The queen of concept books. Yummy, Yucky, Baby Happy, Baby Sad, Potty, Mommy and more are all easy for ASL beginners and super-engaging for visual babies.

Todd Parr

The king of concept books. His simple stuff—The Daddy Book, The Family Book, The Okay Book, etc.—is great to sign, fun for kids, and radiates love and acceptance.

Laura Blum

Baby books specifically for parents of deaf kids, the Love and Language series incorporates ASL storytelling techniques like visual rhyme, ABC stories, handshape stories and more. Their accompanying videos are perfect for helping parents get started.

Sandra Boynton

Empress of the concept book. Some of her work is too rhyme-y for beginning signers, but Blue Hat, Green Hat is the most fun you can have reading to a baby.

Handtalk Series

Sadly out of print, Remy Charlip, Mary Beth Miller and Geroge Acona’s series—Birthday, Zoo, School—are utterly rad, totally visual ASL primers featuring real Deaf kids & adults.

Kathy Macmillan

Macmillan’s Nita books are sweet, simple board books that teach correct ASL to babies and parents with a fun slide-out peek-a-boo format.

Isaac Millman

Millman’s four Moses books follow a Deaf child through different real-life adventures: attending school, going to the circus, etc. incorporating ASL throughout.

Lili Beese

Deaf British family Ava, Lili and Nick Beese collaborated on a wonderful primer from the perspective of a 10 year-old Deaf girl. Great for instilling pride and sharing lots of facts about Deaf life. FYI, incorporates British Sign Language, a different language than ASL.

Jon Klassen

His three Hat books are great practice for ASL role shifting, and the sly unstated motives of his characters encourage theory of mind for deaf children.

Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan

Monster Hands is an instant classic, starring two Deaf besties and a featuring great, matter-of-fact depictions of ASL and Deaf gain. Terrific role modeling for kids and their families.

Hands Land (Amazon Prime)

ASL nursery rhymes made by Deaf professionals, ready to super-charge your baby’s language acquisition. If you have a deaf baby or toddler, start here, watch together, and use them all day and night.

Rocky Mountain Deaf School (YouTube)

RMDSCO makes some of the best signed children’s book videos out there, along with ASL stories and mini video lessons, with a range of material for kids aged toddler to tweenager.

Statewide Outreach Center (YouTube)

Texas School for the Deaf has a massive archive materials available in ASL. The only catch is that you’ll need to sort through various lesson plans and presentations to find all the great interpreted kid’s books.

ASL Nook (YouTube)

Sadly no longer updated, this “slice of life” channel is centered on a Deaf family. Besides teaching ASL to parents, it’s fascinating and important role modeling for kids.

Atomic Hands

The ASL science site. Not only does it have great video explainers on science topics of every kind, it goes much further with in-depth resources for science-minded deaf kids.

PBS Kids in ASL

PBS has interpreted versions of some of their children’s shows available online, including Arthur and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

MyGo! Sign Language for Kids (YouTube)

ASL interpreted Blippi, CoComelon, Gecko’s Garage and more. MyGo is there for all your your deaf child’s edutainment needs.

Described and Captioned Media Program

A service that distributes media for Blind, Deaf, and DeafBlind people, with lots of learning resources and a robust library of ASL kid’s media and storytelling. Requires a free account registration.

SignUp Media

SignUp is a free extension for the Google Chrome browser that provides picture-in-picture ASL (and BSL) interpretation for movies and TV shows on streaming platforms, including Disney+ and Netflix.

Bilingual Bookshelf (iPad / iPhone)

An interactive kid’s book app from Gallaudet University which allows you to select either expertly-signed ASL interpretations, or support your child’s literacy development with pop-up word-for-word ASL-to-English translations.

RISE global sign language library

A joint project of Gallaudet University and Swarthmore College, the RISE library presents signed children’s books in ASL and over 30 other sign languages from across the world.

Grizzy and the Lemmings (Netflix)

Carrying on the legacy of Coyote and the Roadrunner, this wordless French cartoon is pure visual bubblegum, no interpretation needed. Use with caution.

Simon’s Cat

Animator Simon Tofield’s wordless stories about a very sweet but… persistent cat and its long-suffering owner.

58 Creativity

“58 Creativity is dedicated to bringing the beautiful American Sign Language to life through art. Our collection includes posters, puzzles, apparel, accessories, and many more that shine a unique light on ASL.”

Language Priority

Tons of Deaf-positive shirts and accessories, as well as stickers, mugs, temporary tats, and actual-factual ASL classes, too!

Montana Family ASL Shop

A is for GORILLA. B is for FIREFIGHTER! The retail side of this Montana-based service agency sells posters and apparel that teach ASL handshapes in a cute and clever way.

Diglo

The deaf hardware store. This is your first stop for visual doorbells, smoke detectors and more. They also sell hearing aids, batteries and equipment, as well as ASL and Deaf-related books and media. Formerly known as Harris Communications.

Uncle Goose ABC ASL blocks

A rare must-have from a hearing shop. They actually make specialty alphabet blocks in lots of languages from Hindi to Greek to Thai, as well as blocks with the planets, chemical elements and more. But we all know what we’re here for: their ASL alphabet blocks.

California SB 210 Language Development Milestones for deaf and hard of hearing children

An easy checklist of age-appropriate language goals to include in your child’s IFSP or IEP for ages 0-5, whether you live in California or not.

Don’t let ignorant administrators or professionals lowball expectations for your child’s language development. Low standards for deaf kids, especially deaf disabled kids, are epidemic, but they’re a lot cheaper and easier for school districts to meet.

You can use the milestones in CA SB 210 to set research-supported, age-appropriate goals for your child’s IFSP or IEP, no matter the state you live in, and whether they are using ASL, English, your home language, or all three.

En español.

US Dept. of Eductaion guidance on least restrictive enviornment (LRE) for deaf students (OCR-000012)

A good resource if you’re fighting your district about placement for your child at a school for the deaf or a bilingual program.

The Feds know that local school districts often get it wrong when considering what is a least restrictive environment / LRE—and therefore what is a free and appropriate public education / FAPE—for deaf and hard of hearing students. This guidance doc is their attempt to set districts straight:

“The Secretary recognizes that the regular classroom is an appropriate placement for some children who are deaf, but for others it is not. The decision as to what placement will provide FAPE for an individual deaf child… must be made only after a full and complete IEP has been developed that addresses the full range of the child’s needs.”

Worth reading and quoting at your next IEP.

Frequently Asked Questions on Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

Another great clarifying document if you’re fighting your district over ASL interpreters (or CART, or other access-related services) in the classroom.

District-interpreted IDEA standards aren’t enough—students and parents get primary consideration in how they access education under the ADA, too.

“Public schools must apply both the IDEA analysis and the Title II effective communication analysis in determining how to meet the communication needs of an IDEA-eligible student with a hearing, vision, or speech disability. In some instances, in order to comply with Title II, a district may have to provide the student with services that are not required under the IDEA.”

Check out answer #10.

Language First

Research-based information and resources for parents, schools and professionals on bilingualism and language development in deaf children, and the source of a million memes. Whether you’re looking for a signing SLP, information on educational interpreters, or research on the benefits of using ASL with CI kids, this is the place for you.

American Society for Deaf Children

Fabulous place to find classes and resources on ASL and raising a deaf or hard of hearing child.

“The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is committed to empowering all families with deaf and hard-of-hearing children and youth by embracing full language and communication access in inclusive environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.”

National Hands and Voices

A national organization for parents of deaf and hard of hearing children, with chapters across the country.

Although chapters support all families in their decisions around language and education, they vary in their resources and activity levels.

National Black Deaf Advocates

“National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) is the official advocacy organization for thousands of Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing Americans. For more than three decades, NBDA has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts for civil rights and equal access to education, employment, and social services on behalf of the Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the United States.”

Council De Manos

Serving the deaf Latine community in the US:

“The mission of Council de Manos is to end injustice. Our vision is for the people we serve to achieve self-fulfillment.”

National Hispanic Latino Association of the Deaf

“The mission for NHLAD is to build an alliance between Deaf Latino and the Hispanic community through the preservation of our language, culture & customs. We recognize the importance of gaining empowerment through the promotion of leadership and education in the Hispanic and Latino community.”

Asian Signers

“Asian Signers is a Deaf-led nonprofit organization that passionately advocates for diverse Asian representation, placing a strong emphasis on culture, literature, and education within the realm of American Sign Language.

Our mission is to foster recognition and appreciation for the richness of Asian cultures, while promoting inclusivity and accessibility through ASL.”

National Asian Deaf Congress

“Founded in 1997, NADC is a national non-profit community-based organization promoting and protecting social, cultural, and economic rights of Deaf Asian immigrants and Asian Americans in America.

We are interested in collaborating with individuals who support our goal of building a stronger Asian Deaf community. This will be achieved by nurturing intergenerational connections and championing the principles of equal freedom and justice for all, while embracing Asian values.

ASL at Home

A curriculum focused on getting parents of young deaf children quickly up to speed, with lessons organized around daily routines like bed time, bath time, etc. The book is free for parents, and can be used in conjunction with other courses or instruction. They also offer paid online courses with live teachers.

Lifeprint

The grandfather of all ASL-learning sites. Don’t be fooled by its old-fashioned web aesthetics: it’s a tremendous collection of information on ASL, interpreting and Deaf culture, with self-guided lessons, articles, a visual dictionary, and much more by Deaf lexicologist Bill Vicars. Dig in.

Deaf Cooperative: ASL Tutors and Mentors (Facebook)

A great ‘dating site’ for finding a Deaf teacher or tutor who meets your family’s needs. Overseen by respected Deaf professor of ASL Bee Vicars, it’s the perfect place to find in-person or online instruction that fits your schedule and requirements. (private group; requires membership)

SignOn Connect

A paid service that connects you with Deaf adults for live language practice. They have a deal with ASDC that gives parents 5 free lessons for the cost of a membership. Very flexible and exposes you to many different fluent signers.

The ASL App (iOS or Android)

ASL learning app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device. Easy to use, and made by Deaf programmers, it’s a great starting point for learning on the go.

Madness in the Mainstream

Mark Drolsbaugh’s funny and frank essays on growing up as a Deaf kid and young adult in mainstream schools, and his reflections on being the father to his Deaf son. For parents looking for the inside scoop on living deaf in a hearing world. (If you need something quicker, he digested just the child-rearing bits of Madness into a parenting guide, That Deaf Kid.)

True Biz

Deaf novelist Sara Novic’s blockbuster tells the story of a mainstreamed teenager experiencing life in a deaf school for the first time. Perfect for hearing parents who’d prefer to have advice for raising deaf children delivered in the form of a racy punk-rock teen drama. Super fun and super informative.

The Butterfly Cage

Deaf educator Rachel Zemach tells her story, and the story of the deaf children she taught in mainstream California schools. An important first-person view on what deaf kids need from their schools, and how hearing professionals can sabotage their language, learning and self-worth through ignorance and bias.

I’ll Tell You Later

Deaf poet and essayist Rayomnd Luczack complied a collection of reports, stories and poetry by Deaf writers about dinner table syndrome, the common and devastating experience of being left out of family life and daily communication. An important book for parents, with perspectives from nineteen different d/Deaf writers.

Alone in the Mainstream

Gina A. Oliva documents her experience as the only deaf student in her school, and invited other solitaires to reflect on their own experiences. Collective themes of isolation and low expectations make the case that deaf and hard of hearing children need each other and Deaf adults if they are going to thrive.

Deaf and Hearing Siblings in Conversation

Very academic, but the only book of its kind examining the ways that deaf and hearing siblings relate to one another, and the role that parents play in the success or failure of those relationships. If you ever wanted to know what your kids will think of you, and of each other, after you’re dead, this is the book.