A question from Ask Dr. Bill

I am learning ASL via your website. I showed my mother the sign for "need" and she said that instead of moving my wrist, I should move my finger into a bent position, so that my finger is in the "e" position ( with my other fingers remaining still.) Is this an acceptable variation?
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Hmmm...I recommend you start with an "X"-handshape (the fingerspelled letter "X") and then bend it downward from the wrist. If you start with a straight index finger and just bend the finger into an "X"-handshape then it looks a bit like the "qm-wig" (question mark wiggle) sign and/or the "ASK-to" sign.
- Dr. Bill