Deafinitely Communicating

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Deafinitely Communicating

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Deafinitely Communicating, Speech Pathologist, Gilbert, AZ.

Speech pathology private practice primarily serving Deaf/Hard of Hearing children and their families using a bilingual American Sign Language/English approach to support communication and overall development.

10/28/2025

Being born deaf does not put a deaf child at a disadvantage, nor does it automatically mean that language delays should be expected. Deaf children are born with brains fully prepared to acquire language! It's true. The challenge occurs when the language they are exposed to is unable to be fully perceived and absorbed by their brains.

So... what does this mean?
‼️It means that it is important for professionals to understand the importance of accessible language for deaf children and make recommendations that support cognitive development. And yes, even deaf children who utilize hearing technology (hearing aids, CIs, BAHAs) and/or have some residual hearing can experience inadequate language exposure.

‼️It means that it is critical for professionals and parents to understand that sound ≠ language. Access to sound does not mean full access to language.

‼️It means that it is critical to understand that speech ≠ language. Language is brain food. It's the priority!

🤔What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree/disagree?
💭⬇ Let's chat in the comments.

Read more about this quote, language deprivation, and its impact on Deaf Mental Health here --> Glickman, N. & Hall, W. 2019. Language Deprivation and Deaf Mental Health. Routledge.

[ID: A clip art image of a strong, vibrant brain and a weak, tired, and confused brain are centered above the text, 'A deaf child can be born with a brain fully prepared to acquire language yet be inadequately exposed to a language the brain can fully perceive and internalize. Bottom left: Citation: Glickman, N. & Hall, W. 2019. Language Deprivation and Deaf Mental Health. Routledge. Bottom right: Deafinitely Communicating logo (waving hand inside of a black chat bubble).]

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10/24/2025

Language deprivation is 100% preventable. Here are a few tips to ensure that your deaf child has full access to language as early as possible.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

[ID: A carousel of 7 images.
Image 1: 5 Simple ways to prevent language deprivation. Parents/Caregivers
Image 2: If you don’t already know sign language at the time of identification as deaf/hard of hearing, start learning.
Image 3: Sign early. Sign often. Use the signs you know. Learn what you don’t.
Image 4: Use hearing technology AND sign language. To ensure full access to language while your child is learning to make sense of sound, sign!
Image 5: Sign during daily routines.

Sample wake up script:
Good morning! It’s *insert your role*.
You woke up today.
I’m happy to see you.
How are you feeling? *insert emotions*
I love you!

Image 6: Notice what your child notices and talk about it to the best of your ability.
A family member? An animal? A sound? A toy? Help them make connections to their surroundings.

Image 7: Hi! I'm Germaine, an ASL-fluent speech-language pathologist passionate about supporting families, empowering Deaf children, and advocating alongside the Deaf community. An image of Germaine, a Black female with butterfly locs is bottom left justified. Germaine wears a yellow top and a bright smile. To her right the text 'Follow for more!' appears with the icons for save, comment, like, and share.']

10/23/2025

Families and caregivers of deaf children rely heavily on the advice and opinions of professionals when making decisions. For this reason, it is crucial that we as professionals take the time to first educate ourselves, then educate and empower families.

Every caregiver of a deaf child should know:
1. What language deprivation is,
2. How it can be prevented, and
3. How early access to signed language impacts their child's future

💬 What are your thoughts on this?
👉🏾 How do you educate families about language deprivation?

Share this post to help raise awareness!

[ID: A bold header, 'Professionals' is highlighted in yellow orange. Below, the text, play a crucial role in preventing and reducing language deprivation in deaf children by making sure families receive the guidance and support they need to foster
early LANGUAGE access.]

10/22/2025

Language, hearing, and speech are not the same. Only one has significant impact on cognitive development. Can you guess which one? Drop your answer in the comments!

ID: A yellow and red caution clip art icon. Text: Language is not synonymous with hearing and speech.

10/21/2025

While deaf children are learning to make sense of sound, they should have complete access to LANGUAGE. This is a thought we share often here because of the risk of language deprivation when language learning hinges solely on a child's auditory access.

Remember, there is more than one way for language to get to the brain of a deaf child; however, not all pathways are fully accessible and provide complete linguistic information. The brain has no preference in HOW it acquires language (spoken, signed, tactile), it just NEEDS LANGUAGE (not to be confused with sound) in order to grow and develop appropriately.

Share your questions about and/or experiences with language deprivation in the comments. Let's raise awareness and learn from one another.

↗️ Share the slide you want others to know.

Image descriptions are in the comments.

10/20/2025

When it comes to deaf children, LANGUAGE MUST BE THE PRIORITY! It is vital that we ensure that deaf children have consistent exposure and access to language that their brains can fully perceive and make sense of. The consequences of language deprivation are serious and can be lifelong.

Let's talk about it-
🧐 Have you heard of language deprivation?
🧐 Do you have questions about language deprivation?
🧐 Have you worked with children who you suspect are language deprived?
🧐 What strategies do you actively use to ensure the deaf child(ren) in your life have full access to language?

Share your questions and/or experiences in the comments. Let's raise awareness and learn from one another.

↗️ Share the slide you want others to know.

Image descriptions are in the comments.

10/17/2025

Everyone has their reasons for either wanting to learn, learning, or used a signed language. What's yours?

My story began at McDonald's. This was where I met my first two Deaf young adults, working my first high school job. After learning how to communicate with them, I was determined to continue learning about the Deaf community and sign language. I continue to learn each and every day.

Share your story in the comments.
💬 What motivated you to start learning sign language?

[ID: A series of blue, yellow, coral, and tan question bubbles appear above the text, 'What motivated you to start learning sign language?']

10/16/2025

Gentle reminder today - Remember the WHOLE child! ❤
Scroll to the end!

[ID: A carousel of 10 images are shown. The Deafinitely Communicating logo (waving hand inside of chat bubble) is bottom right justified on each slide.
Slide 1: 2 happy children - one doing a one-handed handstand. The other stands shaking maracas. Text: When it comes to deaf children...
Slide 2: Don't just focus on this (picture of ear)
Slide 3: This... (picture of mouth)
Slide 4: This... (picture of hand)
Slide 5: Or even this (picture of eye)
Slide 6: Focus on this (picture of hearts - connection)
Slide 7: This... (smiling child - joy)
Slide 8: This.... (two faceless children share a toy - communication)
Slide 9: This.... (picture of brain)
Slide 10: And most importantly (happy child - whole child)

10/15/2025

Wash day might stretch our patience 😤... but it also stretches our children’s language 😆!

“Hold still.”
“Almost done.”
“Next braid.”
“You look beautiful.”

Vocabulary, sequencing, emotions, connection and core memories expressed, understood, and created during a ritual that has been passed down through generations. Wash day is packed with language, learning, love, and labor.

Wash day might stretch our patience... but it also stretches our children’s language.

💬 What are your fondest wash day memories?

✨ Follow along with the series for practical, FUNctional ideas you can start using right away!

[Image descriptions in comments.]

10/01/2025

Gallaudet University has a new Men’s Basketball Coach and we couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations Coach Amber Sekoe White!! We wish you a healthy and victorious season 🏆

09/24/2025

Our local Deaf school enjoyed an awesome opportunity recently. Check it out!

08/21/2025

It is unfair to expect Deaf children (or any child) to know information that they have never been given full access to.

Questions to consider:
👉 Has the information been shared with the child?
👉 Was the information shared in a way that they can FULLY access/understand?
👉 How many times did they have access to the information?
👉 Are/Have they being given a chance to express what they know in their preferred language?

💭 Share your thoughts in the comments below. Has this happened to you/your child before?

[ID: The graphic features an illustrated girl on the left side. She has dark hair, a red headband, red shorts with suspenders, and red shoes. She is standing with one hand on her hip and the other hand on her chin, looking upward with a thoughtful or puzzled expression. Above her head is an orange thought bubble containing a red question mark.

To the right, there is text in two sections: At the top, smaller black text reads: “Deaf children are often expected to know or understand information that they have never been given access to (names of family members, their birthdays, current events, etc.)”

Below, in larger bold text, it says: “But…” in playful black font, followed by “It’s hard to express what you have never fully accessed.” The word “fully” is highlighted in red.
At the bottom right corner, there is a small black-and-white logo with a stylized hand and the text “DEAFinitely Communicating.”

Address

Gilbert, AZ
85234

Website

http://www.deafinitelycommunicating.com/

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