How to Support Communication for Learners Using this ASL tool in the Classroom

A big shift that you can support in your classroom (and that you will find in any well-run special education classroom) is moving from reactive teaching to system-based teaching.

Instead of constantly responding to behaviors, frustrations, and communication breakdowns, you CAN create systems that will likely prevent those challenges from happening in the first place.

All forms of communication are not created equal. You will have students in your class who will benefit from multiple different types of modalities. This post is for the students in your care who are learning how to communicate using ASL.

For those learners using ASL, in the classroom, it is not just a communication tool - it needs to become part of your daily classroom system.

When it is used consistently for those learners, it supports:

• Your morning routine

• Your transition expectations

• Your behavior support system

• Your communication expectations

• Your independence goals

• Life outside of the classroom

Think about your day.

You likely already have systems for:

• Morning meeting

• Centers

• Visual schedules

• Behavior expectations

But communication?

That’s often where things are inconsistent simply because in your setting, all students are communicating differently.

Adding consistent use of ASL for those specific learners creates a layer of support across your entire day.

Instead of:

• Repeating directions multiple times

• Trying to guess what a student needs

• Managing frustration-based behaviors

You now have a consistent, shared way to communicate.

And that changes everything.

ASL vs. Other Communication Supports

You might be wondering:

“How does ASL compare to other communication supports like PECS or AAC?”

The truth is - ASL is not meant to replace other systems. It is also not going to be an appropriate fit for every child. Communication for your students will never be a one sized fits all approach.

But for those learning ASL, it can work alongside them.

Here’s how it fits: (for those learners that it is appropriate for)

ASL + Visual Supports

Using ASL with visuals helps students:

• Make stronger connections between words and meaning

• Transition between communication systems more easily

• Generalize skills across settings

ASL + AAC Devices

For students using AAC:

• ASL can support quick communication without needing a device

• It reduces reliance on technology in certain moments

• It gives students another way to express themselves

ASL + Verbal Speech

For verbal students:

• ASL strengthens vocabulary and comprehension

• It supports expressive language

• It can help bridge communication gaps

The key takeaway:

You don’t have to choose one system. ASL can simply enhance the systems you are already using when appropriate.

Keep in mind, ASL is NOT appropriate for all learners. Please ensure you are communicating with your SLP very closely to determine if it is an appropriate form of paired communication.

What to Teach First (Functional ASL Vocabulary)

Trying to introduce and teach too many signs at once can lead to overwhelm, inconsistency and low carryover across settings.

Instead, focus on high-impact, functional communication first.

Start with signs that students will use multiple times per day.

Core Communication Signs (a few examples)

Please work with your SLP to determine an appropriate list of core words that are appropriate for your specific student in mind

• Help

• More

• All done

• Stop

• Go

Basic Needs

• Eat

• Drink

• Bathroom

• Break

Social Communication

• Yes

• No

• Like

• Don’t like

Classroom Language

• Sit

• Wait

• Finished

• Listen

These signs can immediately:

• Increase independence

• Reduce frustration

• Improve participation

Once those are consistent, then, you can expand.

How to Get Support From Your Team

Let's be honest about something here...

Even the best system won’t work if your team isn’t using it.

And in many classrooms, you may have:

• Multiple paraprofessionals

• Related service providers

• Substitute teachers

So how do you get everyone on board? This was always a HUGE challenge for me. I experienced a new substiute almost daily in my classroom for YEARS. The paraprofessional door was always swinging with new people in and out. In my setting I only had part time paras, who worked for minimum wage, no benefits, etc.. The fit was typically never the right one.

1. Keep It Simple

Don’t introduce 50 signs at once.

Start with 5–10 key signs and build from there.

2. Provide a Visual Reference

This is where your ASL Communication Book becomes essential.

Instead of:

• Explaining signs verbally

• Hoping everyone remembers

You have a clear, visual system that anyone can follow.

3. Model, Don’t Just Tell

Your team will follow your lead if you are consistent.

If you are consistently:

• Signing

• Pairing speech with signs

• Reinforcing student use

They will start doing the same. Continue to reinforce the importance of this to them.

4. Build It Into Your Routine

Make ASL part of what you already do.

Use it during:

• Morning meeting

• Transitions

• Centers

• Snack

When it’s embedded into routines, it becomes automatic.

Supporting Families at Home

One of the most powerful things about ASL is that it doesn’t have to stay in the classroom.

It can carry over into the home.

And that’s where real progress happens.

But here’s the challenge:

Many parents want to support communication - but they don’t know how.

They may feel:

• Overwhelmed

• Unsure where to start

• Inconsistent with implementation

  
  

That’s why providing a tool like an ASL Communication Book is so impactful.

It gives families:

• A clear starting point

• A visual reference

• Confidence to support their child

And when communication is supported at both school and home:

✔ Skills generalize faster

✔ Your learners make stronger progress

✔ Your families feel more empowered

Common Mistakes When Using ASL (and How to Avoid Them)

Let’s make this practical.

Here are the most common mistakes - and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Teaching Too Many Signs at Once

Fix: Start small. Focus on functional communication.

Mistake #2: Only Using ASL During “Lessons”

Fix: Use ASL all day long. It should be part of your routine.

Mistake #3: Not Being Consistent

Fix: Get your whole team on board and use a shared system.

Mistake #4: Not Pairing Signs with Speech

Fix: Always say the word while signing.

Mistake #5: Expecting Immediate Use

Fix: Students need time, modeling, and repetition.

What Using ASL in the Classroom Looks Like

Let’s paint a picture of what this actually looks like in action.

A student walks into the classroom.

Instead of:

• Wandering

• Waiting for direction

• Becoming dysregulated

They are greeted with:

• A visual schedule

• A consistent routine

• Adults using ASL to guide expectations

During the day:

• Students sign “help” instead of crying

• They sign “all done” instead of pushing materials away

• They sign “break” instead of escalating

Peers begin to:

• Recognize signs

• Use them during interactions

• Build meaningful connections

Staff:

• Communicate consistently

• Respond more quickly

• Feel more confident

And the classroom?

It feels:

• Calmer

• More predictable

• More connected

That’s the power of a strong communication system.

If there’s one thing to take away from this…

Communication is not something we can leave to chance. Your job (working with your SLP) is to help your students find their voice. What it looks like will vary. You hold the key to open up their world. And with communication for your learners it MUST be intentional, structured and consistent. Because when your students can communicate, everything else becomes easier.

And for your learners using ASL, being consistent is one of the most powerful tools we have to help make that happen.

If you’re ready to bring more consistency and clarity to communication in your classroom and beyond, having a simple, structured system makes all the difference.

That’s exactly why I created this ASL Communication Book - to give you a clear, visual way to support communication for your students, your staff, and everyone who interacts with them throughout the day. You can find it here!

How This ASL Communication Book Supports Communication Across Environments

One of the biggest challenges with communication isn’t just teaching it.

It’s helping your student use it everywhere.

Because your student might:

• Communicate successfully in your classroom

• But struggle in the hallway

• Or at home

• Or in a different classroom

• Or out in the community

And when communication doesn’t transfer across environments, progress slows down and your student might only feel empowered in your classroom.

That’s why consistency across settings matters so much.

This is exactly where an ASL Communication Book becomes powerful - because it creates a shared, visual communication system that follows the student wherever they go.

In the Classroom: Building a Consistent Communication System

In your classroom, this book becomes part of your daily routine and structure.

It can be referenced by anyone during:

• Morning meeting

• Centers

• Small group instruction

• Transitions

• Snack and lunch

• Play and social interactions

Instead of relying only on verbal prompts, students have a visual and physical reference they can use at any time.

This supports students in:

• Requesting help

• Answering questions

• Expressing needs

• Participating in activities

And just as importantly, it supports your staff.

Because every adult in the room now has access to:

• The same signs

• The same visuals

• The same expectations

This creates consistency across your team, which is one of the most important pieces of reducing confusion and behaviors.

Across Different Classrooms: Supporting Transitions and Inclusion

Many students move throughout the day:

• Inclusion classrooms

• Specials (art, music, PE)

• Therapy sessions

• Resource rooms

And one of the biggest breakdowns in communication happens during these transitions.

Why?

Because each environment often has:

• Different expectations

• Different supports

• Different communication styles

When a student brings their ASL Communication Book with them, they are bringing their communication system with them.

This allows:

• General education teachers to quickly understand and support communication

• Related service providers to use the same signs and visuals

• Students to feel more confident in unfamiliar environments

Instead of starting over in each setting, your student has a familiar, consistent tool.

And that consistency builds confidence, independence, and success across environments.

(Tip: Print as you go and add to it later. Start with the basic signs your studnet is learning and go from there.)

At Home: Empowering Families to Support Communication

Communication doesn’t stop when students leave school.

But for many families, this is where support feels the most difficult.

Parents often want to help but they may:

• Not know which signs to use

• Feel unsure how to teach them

• Struggle with consistency

This is where the ASL Communication Book becomes can be so valuable.

It gives families:

• A clear, visual guide

• A starting point for communication

• Confidence in what to do

Instead of guessing, parents can:

• Follow the same signs used at school

• Reinforce communication during daily routines

• Support their child in meaningful ways

Think about everyday moments at home:

• Snack time

• Playtime

• Getting dressed

• Bedtime routines

These are all opportunities for communication.

And when families are using the same system as the classroom:

✔ Skills generalize faster

✔ Students use communication more consistently

✔ Families feel more connected and empowered

In the Community: Supporting Real-Life Communication

One of the ultimate goals for our students is:

functional, real-world communication

And that means communication needs to extend beyond school and home.

In the community, students may need to:

• Request items at a store

• Communicate needs at a restaurant

• Interact with peers at a park

• Participate in outings or events

Without support, these situations could feel overwhelming.

But when students have access to a familiar communication system, they are more likely to:

• Initiate communication

• Express needs

• Engage with others

The ASL Communication Book acts as a bridge between environments.

It gives students something consistent they can rely on, even in new or unpredictable settings.

Supporting Paraprofessionals, Substitutes, and Support Staff

Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked. Not everyone working with your students has the same training.

And that can create major inconsistencies in communication.

Think about:

• New paraprofessionals

• Substitute teachers

• Floating staff

• Bus drivers or aides

Without a system, communication becomes:

• Inconsistent

• Confusing

• Ineffective

But when you have a tool like an ASL Communication Book:

• Staff can quickly reference signs

• Expectations are clearer

• Communication becomes more consistent

This reduces:

• Student frustration

• Staff uncertainty

• Classroom chaos

And creates a more supportive environment for everyone involved.

Why Consistency Across Environments Matters So Much

Here’s the key takeaway:

Students don’t learn communication in isolation or just with you or their SLP .

They learn it through:

• Repetition

• Consistency

• Real-life use

When communication looks different in every environment:

• Students become confused

• Skills don’t transfer

• Progress slows

But when communication is consistent across:

• School

• Home

• Community

• Staff members

Students begin to:

• Generalize skills

• Use communication more independently

• Build confidence

And that’s when real growth happens.

This Is More Than a Resource - It’s a System for Your Learners

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about having a book of signs.

It’s about creating a communication system that works everywhere.

A system that:

• Supports your students

• Supports your staff

• Supports families

• Supports independence

Because when communication is: consistent, accessible, and supported across environments…

Everything changes.