Comments on: My First ASL Class: I Live to Tell the Tale http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/ Reports from Life on the Spectrum Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:12:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Rachel http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65874 Rachel Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:02:48 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65874 Thanks for your support, everyone. Now that I've recovered from the overload (and the teacher completely supports my blocking out whatever I need to block out in order to protect my Aspie nervous system), I'm really looking forward to the next class. Being in a room full of people will always be a challenge for me, I suspect, even if it's a room of people who aren't using sound to communicate. I still have my empathic sensitivity to work with, although being relieved of the obligation to speak and to respond with my voice is a huge relief. I've been studying the book and DVD we got for the class, and I've learned a number of signs already. I'm finding it really interesting and a lot of fun--which is basically how I feel about any new language I study! Thanks for your support, everyone. Now that I’ve recovered from the overload (and the teacher completely supports my blocking out whatever I need to block out in order to protect my Aspie nervous system), I’m really looking forward to the next class. Being in a room full of people will always be a challenge for me, I suspect, even if it’s a room of people who aren’t using sound to communicate. I still have my empathic sensitivity to work with, although being relieved of the obligation to speak and to respond with my voice is a huge relief. I’ve been studying the book and DVD we got for the class, and I’ve learned a number of signs already. I’m finding it really interesting and a lot of fun–which is basically how I feel about any new language I study!

]]> By: Holly (fearless folks) http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65856 Holly (fearless folks) Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:39:38 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65856 Wow. I think it went great, especially since it was the first day! First days of anything--for anyone--is ALWAYS diffifcult and anxiety-ridden, so I don't think you were alone feeling self-conscious, it's human nature. I also think it was wonderful of the instructor to tell you that she was happy you were in her class- that should say it all right there! I also have to tell you that I admire your courage---I really do. I think you have to deal with quite a lot, and you're not afraid to try! I have a lot to learn from you!! Wow. I think it went great, especially since it was the first day! First days of anything–for anyone–is ALWAYS diffifcult and anxiety-ridden, so I don’t think you were alone feeling self-conscious, it’s human nature.

I also think it was wonderful of the instructor to tell you that she was happy you were in her class- that should say it all right there!

I also have to tell you that I admire your courage—I really do. I think you have to deal with quite a lot, and you’re not afraid to try! I have a lot to learn from you!!

]]> By: LizzieK8 http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65840 LizzieK8 Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:33:52 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65840 Hoping things get easier and the class provides for you what you want. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. Hoping things get easier and the class provides for you what you want. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65815 Rachel Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:09:30 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65815 An update: I emailed the teacher about my sensory stuff and whether it would be all right to block out sound during the next class. Her response? "You can block out what ever you have to in order to function." Yay! After the next class, there won't be an interpreter, so the sound problem won't be an issue. An update: I emailed the teacher about my sensory stuff and whether it would be all right to block out sound during the next class. Her response? “You can block out what ever you have to in order to function.” Yay! After the next class, there won’t be an interpreter, so the sound problem won’t be an issue.

]]> By: John Dale Lyons http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65812 John Dale Lyons Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:43:12 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65812 Best of luck with the class. Best of luck with the class.

]]> By: Kate http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65811 Kate Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:24:25 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65811 Sounds pretty hard. I hope that the next one goes better. A lot to deal with there, trying to deal with all the overstimulation , people you dont know, getting a ride home with people you dont know, I'd be a mess too probaly. Kate Sounds pretty hard. I hope that the next one goes better. A lot to deal with there, trying to deal with all the overstimulation , people you dont know, getting a ride home with people you dont know, I’d be a mess too probaly. Kate

]]> By: Ultraviolet http://www.journeyswithautism.com/2009/09/11/my-first-asl-class-i-live-to-tell-the-tale/comment-page-1/#comment-65798 Ultraviolet Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:23:49 +0000 http://www.aspergerjourneys.com/?p=3551#comment-65798 I feel for you, Rachel. It seems that every time I have entered into some kind of learning experience or class that a ridiculous amount of time has been taken up with pervasive personal sharing and introductions. Or worse, trust building exercises! It is very anxiety producing and rather wasteful. I attended Goddard College, which tends to attract unusual students w/different learning styles but was always annoyed that every time I attended anything the group would have to talk about themselves one-by-one (by the way, what is it with people from California, they seem obsessed with sharing every detail of their personal and social lives -yawn). Eventually, I stopped going to anything during the residencies that was not totally required or essential and just working on my study plan in my room. I prefer a straight lecture (even though I zone out) with lots of written materials or writing on a board since I am text oriented. Interactive stuff is just stressful. You are brave to try ASL. I have never even thought about how that might impact someone who is left-handed. I feel for you, Rachel. It seems that every time I have entered into some kind of learning experience or class that a ridiculous amount of time has been taken up with pervasive personal sharing and introductions. Or worse, trust building exercises! It is very anxiety producing and rather wasteful. I attended Goddard College, which tends to attract unusual students w/different learning styles but was always annoyed that every time I attended anything the group would have to talk about themselves one-by-one (by the way, what is it with people from California, they seem obsessed with sharing every detail of their personal and social lives -yawn). Eventually, I stopped going to anything during the residencies that was not totally required or essential and just working on my study plan in my room. I prefer a straight lecture (even though I zone out) with lots of written materials or writing on a board since I am text oriented. Interactive stuff is just stressful.

You are brave to try ASL. I have never even thought about how that might impact someone who is left-handed.

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