What are the pros and cons of an ASL interpreter in the classroom for my child?

Deaf students who primarily use ASL to communicate and prefer to be in mainstream classrooms typically need interpreters to fully access the curriculum. A qualified interpreter should effectively communicate that to your child, all while making sure your child is engaged and included.

However, it’s important to note that students must constantly shift their attention — from the teacher’s materials on the board to the interpreter signing, and then to their own note-taking (if they do not have a note taker). This requires practice and can be quite challenging.

It’s important to also address that having an interpreter solely in the classroom can create social barriers between d/Deaf students and hearing peers. For example, imagine being a teenager with an adult constantly by your side, interpreting your signed conversations to your friends and theirs back to you. This dynamic can be uncomfortable and can limit privacy for your child and affect the natural flow of a conversation.

All that said, though, there are children who find using an interpreter in mainstream classrooms to be amazing. For more information, see our full article Supporting a Child With Hearing Loss at Home, at School, and in the Community.