About Us: Therapy for Adolescent Teens American Sign Language
Our Journey
Founded in 2017, Therapy for Adolescent Teens American Sign Language (TATASL) is a dedicated online resource center with a unique mission. We embarked on this journey with the vision to bridge the communication gap between adolescents and their families by promoting American Sign Language (ASL) as a therapeutic tool. Our founding year was marked by a growing recognition of the importance of early intervention and inclusive communication in teen mental health support.
Milestones and Achievements
- 2018: We launched our website with an extensive library of ASL video tutorials, designed to teach parents and caregivers basic signs to facilitate communication with their deaf or hard-of-hearing teens.
- 2019: TATASL expanded its reach by collaborating with leading adolescent therapy professionals, ensuring that our content is backed by expert knowledge.
- 2020: During this challenging year, we increased our efforts to provide comfort and support, offering free ASL workshops for parents during lockdown, fostering a sense of community and connection.
- 2022: We celebrated our 5-year anniversary, having helped countless families navigate the complexities of adolescent communication and mental health through ASL.
Our Purpose and Mission
TATASL is committed to empowering parents, caregivers, and educators with the knowledge and skills to support adolescents who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. We strive to:
- Fill an Information Gap: The internet offers a wealth of resources, but many sites lack reliable, age-appropriate information on using ASL as a therapeutic intervention for teens.
- Promote Early Intervention: By providing accessible and accurate resources, we aim to help families start conversations early, fostering healthier communication and potentially improving mental health outcomes.
- Advocate for Inclusivity: We believe that ASL is a powerful tool for inclusion, ensuring adolescents with hearing loss have equal opportunities for social interaction and emotional well-being.
Core Values
- Accuracy: We uphold the highest standards of accuracy in our content, ensuring reliable information based on expert advice.
- Unbiased Perspective: Our articles and resources are free from bias, offering a balanced view to support informed decision-making.
- Inclusivity: TATASL is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment, embracing diversity and promoting understanding through ASL.
How We Ensure Reliability
All content on our site is crafted by a team of experienced professionals and volunteers with expertise in ASL and adolescent therapy. We:
- Collaborate with renowned therapists and educators to verify the accuracy of our materials.
- Regularly update our resources to reflect the latest research and best practices.
- Encourage user feedback, allowing us to adapt and improve continuously.
Who We Serve
TATASL is designed for parents, caregivers, teachers, and anyone interested in supporting adolescents who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Our goal is to:
- Empower families with the skills to communicate effectively with their teens.
- Facilitate connections between professionals and those seeking support.
- Foster a sense of community and understanding within the deaf adolescent community.
Engage with Us
We encourage active participation from our audience:
- Comments: Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions below each article.
- Feedback: Contact us with suggestions for new content or improvements (visit our Contact Us page).
- Contribute: We welcome guest articles and ASL resources from professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Meet Our Team
Our team is comprised of passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference:
- Dr. Ava Wilson – Founder & Chief Editor, an accomplished therapist with over 15 years’ experience in youth mental health.
- Sophia Garcia – ASL Content Creator, a native signer and educational videographer.
- Michael Johnson – Research Assistant, responsible for curating and fact-checking content.
- Emily Lee – Community Manager, engaged in fostering user interactions and engagement.
Our Business Model
TATASL operates as a non-profit organization, with the majority of our resources donated by supporters who believe in our mission. We generate revenue through:
- Sponsorships: Partnering with organizations committed to youth mental health and accessibility.
- Merchandise Sales: Offering ASL-themed products to fund our initiatives.
- Donations: We rely on generous individuals to support our cause.
We invite you to join us in this journey, where together we can make a positive impact on the lives of adolescents and their families.