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A Guide to Basic Medical ASL

Create a More Accessible World Through Productive Communication

A young male doctor with glasses and a stethoscope around his neck is signing Help using ASL. It's important to be honest about your ASL abilities and ask for help when you need it!

Basic signs that you can learn and use in a pinch!

With 1 in 4 Americans living with a physical or sensory disability, it’s essential for healthcare providers to effectively communicate with and care for patients who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a disability.

At Ability Together, We work with healthcare and wellness professionals to make the world a more equitable and accessible place for everyone—including through productive communication.

When moving one hand only, move the dominant hand.

Alphabet & Numbers

Basic Signs

Hello

A person in a black top raises their right hand to their forehead, palm down, with an arrow pointing left above their hand against a blue circle background: The ASL sign for Hello.

Name

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "name."

Appointment

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "appointment."

Interpret

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "interpret."

Insurance

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "insurance."

Welcome

A demonstration of the ASL sign for "welcome."

Come on / Follow

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "come on" or "follow."

Nurse: Form an N then point and tap first two fingers on pulse

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "nurse"

Doctor: With the letter D, tap your pulse

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "doctor."

Medicine/Medication: w/middle finger pointed, wobble hand

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "medicine" or "medication."

Help: Move hands together

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "help."

Address

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "address."

Age: Start with an open fist, like grabbing a beard

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "age."

Weight: Move top hand like a see-saw

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "weight."

Height

A person demonstrating the ASL sign for "height."

Dizzy

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "dizzy."

Allergy

A person demonstrating the ASL sign for "allergy."

Pregnant

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "pregnant."

Breath / Breathing

A person demonstrating the sign for "breath" or "breathing."

Diabetes: End with the letter D

A person demonstrating the ASL sign for "diabetes."

Cold

A person demonstrates the ASL sign for "cold."

Hot: With the letter C rotate hand forward

A demonstration of the ASL sign for "hot."

Toilet / Bathroom

A person with dark hair, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt demonstrating the sign for "toilet" or "bathroom."

Blood / Bleeding: Start pointing at lips

A person in black demonstrates the ASL sign for "blood" or "bleeding."

Pain: Point and twist half-way

A demonstration of the basic medical ASL sign for "pain."

Thank you: End with finger pointing

A person demonstrating the ASL sign for "thank you."

Some Easy Tips

  • Use your normal tone of voice — don’t yell!
  • Make sure your mouth can be seen — don’t chew gum.
  • If you don’t know a sign, write it down or type it.
  • Use an app, like Live Transcribe, or Signing Savvy (www.signingsavvy.com).
Download this Information as a PDF

Have a good day!

A demonstration of the ASL sign for "have a nice day."

Healthcare Accessibility Coaching and Training

With 1 in 4 Americans living with a physical or sensory disability, it’s essential for healthcare providers to effectively communicate with and care for patients who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a disability. Ability Together offers personalized coaching and interactive team presentations to equip your staff with the tools and strategies needed to provide inclusive, equitable care.
Inquire about booking a program

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At Ability Together, we work to make change happen through education and awareness. Please use this free resource to help you in your goal to improve accessibility through communication. 

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