Barbara Warter, NOW A PROUD SIGN2ME PRESENTER!!!

I am a certified Speech Language Pathologist with a B.S. in Psychology from Union College and an M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University.  I spent the last 12 out of 15 years working with children.  I have a solid understanding of typical language development in babies and children and am very skilled at finding ways to elicit communication.  While I did use sign language to supplement my practice, it was not until October 2000 when my older son was born, that I really understood the power of sign language.  My son was born with a profound hearing loss and had little benefit from hearing aids.  We used sign language to help him communicate.  He signed his first word at 6 months "dog".  He quickly added "mommy", "daddy" and "more" to his vocabulary and by 1 year, he was combining two word phrases.  His vocabulary far surpassed any of his hearing peers' at the same age.  Now he is four years old and still uses sign language to communicate his needs and wants even though he hears using a cochlear implant.   He never experienced the type of frustration that many children face in light of communication difficulties because he always had a means of communicating... he used his hands to speak.   Our second child was born with normal hearing.  We began signing with him from birth and at 7 months, he signed "more" and "daddy" for the first time.  For the next 3 months, he "watched" and at 10 months of age, his language exploded.  His earliest signs included "milk", "dog", "eat" and "come and play".  By one year of age, he signed over 50 words and at 15 months he has nearly a 100-word vocabulary.  His communication abilities far exceed his non-signing peers'.  His ability to demonstrate comprehension and tell us things he wants has helped shape his even-tempered and happy disposition.  Sign language has enabled me to communicate with both of my children, have them communicate with each other and in the process is helping us raise two bright and beautiful boys.

By combining my strong developmental background though my experience as a Speech Language Pathologist with my teaching and signing experience, in addition to my passion and drive to integrate sign language into children's daily lives, I have been able to create one-of-a-kind curriculum for babies, children and adults of all ages and all abilities. 

Debbie Matasker, NOW A PROUD SIGN2ME PRESENTER!!!

In my past life, I had a great career in business.  I am also a certified teacher since 1987.  Things changed after my son was born.  He was born with a diagnosis of hearing loss and multiple medical issues, one of which was having misshapen hands.  We began signing with him as soon as he was born.  Against all odds, at the age of 6 months, he signed back, asking for "more".  By 12 months of age he was signing in two word combinations with a vocabulary of over 30 words.  At age 8, my son has an above age level IQ and reading skills (he has been reading since he was 3 years old).  When his younger sister was born, we continued with her what we started... signing was an integrated part of our lives.  Even our oldest daughter quickly picked up on the new language.  Our youngest daughter began signing when she was 7 months old and hasn't stopped.  The success of signing babies was seen firsthand when she began to "speak" in three word sentences at 12 months of age!  Now she is 5 years old and reads above grade level.

In addition to teaching and signing experience, I have over 15 years of business experience working on large scale projects in the Computer Industry seeing projects through their full lifecycle including analysis of business specifications, customer interface at all levels to gain client’s needs, putting a comprehensive business plan in place, estimation of project completion, implementing, staff training at all levels, maintenance and ongoing staff support.   My comprehensive background enable me to successfully create and assist in implementing a customized Signing Fingers sm Program on a large scale, specifically designed for your school, center or day care setting.

How Signing Fingers, LLC evolved

Barbara & Debbie met after though mutual friends.  After many hours of sharing stories, it became clear that we were both very passionate about the benefits and beauty of sign language.  The Signing Fingers sm Programs grew out of our personal passion and our professional experiences as a speech language pathologist and certified teacher.  In addition, Debbie's pursuit to perfect her signing abilities and train as an Interpreter of the Deaf closed the circle for us.  Our programs are created using a developmental framework for typical language acquisition and based in American Sign Language (ASL).  What sets our program apart is that we are equally adept at working with typical children as we are at working with the special needs population. 

Signing Fingers, LLC has been a labor of love.  We hope to share this journey with you and help strengthen communication with your baby, child, friend or student and in turn, empower them to communicate back!

More Great Signing Fingers, LLC Team Members

Peggy Bowman

BS degree in psychology from Kutztown university.
Masters degree in Elementary Education from Iona College
Certified Elementary Education Teacher in New Jersey and New York
Currently working on Certificate of completion in ASL interpreting at
Union County College. (Graduate hopefully in Dec 06)
Volunteer admistrative assistant for DAWN Inc.  I work for a Deaf Outreach Specialist for the Deaf Senior Citizens of
Northwest NJ.

I am married with three sons ages 12, 9 & 6.

I first was introduced to sign language when I was an Residential
advisor (during college) in a group home for the mentally challenged.  There were a few residents who could only communicate using some basic sign language.  I was so fascinated by sign language and always wanted to learn the language but never had the opportunity.  One day I saw that they were offering a sign language class at my local community college
(Sussex Community College) and I thought I would give it a try.  After
completing two semesters in ASL 1 & 2 I decided to enrolled in the ASL to English interpreting program at UCC.  In this program I not only learned more ASL but I also learned about Deaf Culture, Linguistics of American Sign Language and the interpreting process.

Eileen DiDonna

COMING SOON!!

Steffi DiBartolo

COMING SOON!!

Mara Friedman

COMING SOON!!!

Sue Peluso

I have been involved with Sign Language teaching and interpreting for over 5 years.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Bloomsburg University in American Sign Language/English Interpreter.  For over 5 years now, I have worked for an agency called ASL Interpreting Referral Services.  I have worked in many different areas of interpreting and teaching ranging from interpreting Childrens theater (Bear in the Big Blue House), Trade Meetings, teaching at elementary schools and day care centers.  I have mya EIPA certificate (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment).  I love working with children and am so excited to combine my signing skills with my passion for teaching children and adults of all ages.    I look forward to teaching a class near you!