How to be friendly with deaf person?

Question

I have an art class two nights a week at a local college. One of the kids in my class is deaf. We always wave hello to each other, and once I typed out "you like the class okay?" on my cell phone and he nodded and sort of responded. I feel so bad because I talk to everyone in class, but obviously cant really talk to him besides the nods and knowing looks back and forth. He's a cool kid. Would it be weird to ask for his number so I could text message him during breaks and what not? I cant think of any other way to talk to him, but I feel like thats bizarre and no one does that...thanks for your input!

hmm, I'm pretty sure he can't lip read.l He has two ASL interpreters in class that tell him what the teacher says, but they aren't their during breaks when we need them..

but even if he can lip read, he can't speak, so he wouldn't be able to respond..

Answer 1

I would ask him if he reads lips ,most likely he does.My son had a hearing problem all the way into 3rd grade and he could read lips as long as he was looking at you ,Maybe the teacher don't speak in his direction all the time and that could be the reason for the extra help .And everyone sends text on phones I don't think its weird at all .I think its great that you try to talk to him ,most people wouldn't take the extra time ,your very special .

Answer 2

Actually--your friend can speak just fine--only in sign.

If you really would like to communicate--start learning some ASL. Granted, it takes a lot of work to become fluent, just like any other language. But you can learn some of the basic signs--and the alphabet--without a whole lot of work. And if you really do want to make friends--that is absolutely the best way--because it will show you are willing to make a real effort to treat him as an equal.

There's a TON of resources online to learn ASL . Just do a search for "learn ASL" and browse till you find what suits you.

It will also open up a whole new world and set of opportunites for you to meet people. I have a friend who started learning sign for pretty much the same reason, got interested in being an interpreter--and now makes a very good income! You never know! :)

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 3

You have to go and learn sign language so that you can communicate with him. There is nothing wrong with asking for his number, he will be glad to have a friend but he will always stick close and depend on you since you can communicate with him. They also like to text a lot but the way he will text will be different. He will text like he would sign. he will say the basic things and leave out unnecessary words. If he want to say "the cow jump over the moon" He will say "cow jump over moon".

You can go on the net and learn to sign. I have included a site so that you can go and practice a few words.
Be careful how you talk when he is around you because he will tend to think that you are talking about him. Just tell him that you are not talking about him because they can be very sensitive. Along with lip reading and sign language, facial expressions help. They say a lot. If for instance, you take your right hand and fold it into a fist and rub it in a small circle over you heart to say you are sorry but you are smiling-that is confusing. You facial expression should show that you are truly sorry.

Answer 4

I think he would be happy to give you his number for texting, if he wants to be your friend. Also, when I was in college, I student-tutored a deaf girl in my Psychology class. This was years before texting was invented, so what we would do is meet at the Starbucks and sort of pass each other notes back and forth on a sheet of notebook paper. I'd write, "IS there anything in the class that you need extra help with this week?" and she'd write back, "Yes, I could use some extra help with ____." And then I would explain it to her on the paper, just like we were having a regular conversation. Also, I would type notes from every class up for her so she could study them. She was a really cool girl, and I'm glad I got to know her.

Answer 5

I haven't done that without an interpreter in about 45 years. It makes me feel uncomfortable because I feel inadequate to communicate with them. Writing what I want to say would be pretty comfortable for me. I took a few sign language lessons while a teenager but I was far too slow to keep up with what the deaf person was saying. I also memorized the alphabet in sign language. If you live in the Los Angeles area let me know.

Answer 6

God Bless you for wanting to treat him as the person he is and wanting to communicate with him. I think you have a great idea about asking if he has a phone so you can text him but don't be offended if he tells you no because you have to keep in mind that he is deaf so he will not know the phone is beeping to let him know he has a text message. You can go to the local library and get a book about sign language. Believe me sign language is really not that hard to learn. If you really want to learn it, you can learn the ASL alphabet in about 10 minutes, then you can talk to him, he can also help you.

Answer 7

Right before class starts, while interpreters are present, tell him you wanna chat. That way, the interpreters can make themselves available.
If he speaks ASL (American Sign Language), he will process information in a different word order than English. That may be why he sort of responded; he may not have understood what you were telling him. Just be aware of this. If he seems receptive, keep making efforts to reach out to him. Friends are ALWAYS welcome.

Answer 8

There are a few thing you can do.
Find out what sign language he uses and learn a basic course.
It is true not all deaf people can lip read. You must look directly at him and keep all thing away from your mouth so he can see it clearly to lip read.
held your thumb up with the finger closed is good.
thumb ring finger making and L shape and last fingur is I love you. On your thumb and fingers is AEIOU and you point to them.
He can respond by smile, eye light up, hand signs etc give him a chance. He could still be learning to lip read as you have to learn it.
Hope this helps

Answer 9

Deaf people learn how to read lips, so just go up to the kid, look straight at him/her and start talking. He/she will let you know if he/she doesn't understand something. Treat a deaf person normal, That's what they want and that's the best you can do. Or go online and look for easy basic words in sign language and then surprise him/her with it. It also shows that you are interested and want to communicate. He/she maybe even teach you some sign language and so you could start a friendship.
.

Answer 10

Good on you for trying to make him feel part of the class.

Ask him directly how you can best communicate with him, make sure you have his ASL interpreters are present, they will assist him to communicate to you, but try not to talk to him through his interpreters.

Tips on how to communicate with a hearing impaired person;
Gain their attention by waving at them, or if their back is towards you, a few gentle taps on the shoulder will gain their attention.
Face the person and stand close to them, but not to close.
Have the light on your face, so they can see your facial expressions.
Don’t cover your mouth.
Speak slowly and clearly.
Raise your voice if needed, but try not to shout.
Speak expressively and use face, hand and body movements.
Be ready to use pen and paper, if having trouble communicating with the person.
Avoid noisy back ground noise, as this is distracting for you both.

Hope this helps, I have just spent some time with a teacher who works with hearing impaired people, who gave me these tips.

The links below my also have some further information if you require it.

Good luck with the communication.