Vivian Bango-sanchez

Sign of the Times: Teaching Asl to Recovering Addicts: Strengthening Self Efficacy and Decreasing Anxiety of Mothers in Residential Rehabilitation Facilities Vivian Bango-sanchez

Globally 208 million people 15 and older use illicit drugs or abuse substances. In the US,20 million people 12 and older are illicit drug users and 20% of women in drug rehab in the European Union and Norway are of childbearing age. During pregnancy, this abuse can affect women and infants; contribute to infant developmental and communication delays and influence parenting abilities. Parenting is a trying time when lacking self-efficacy and creates a high vulnerability to stress. This monograph provides information about teaching ASL to recovering mothers; increasing self-efficacy and decreasing anxiety. Being secure in efficacy helps a mother navigate through phases of her child's development and be less vulnerable to stress. This work adds to the knowledge base of drug and substance abusing mothers. A low cost program,easily incorporated into existing rehab curricula. It can help educators and healthcare providers worldwide better understand the needs of the drug and substance abusing mother.