Regardless of the CI issue, or if you want to your child to try speech and speech reading, I think all parents who have a child who is deaf should do the following:
- Enroll in an ASL course (if you have a first steps program, they should aid in the cost of this) – if one is not offered, contact a National Association for the Deaf for help.
- Set aside some time each day for "Signing Time" - even if it's just an hour. Just like hearing babies learn spoken language by absorbing what they hear around them; deaf babies learn manual language by absorbing what they see. They will start “babbling” with their hands. Kids are language magnets, so even if you have other children, they can participate too.
- Socialize with the Deaf Community, hire Deaf babysitters, go to Deaf events, etc. There are more than you think!
- If you live in a city large enough and you have the resources, try to start a Deaf play group – make this a Signing Time for everyone- again, the kids will learn more by watching you.
When it comes to deciding on education, there are many different options. From what I have read and observed a bilingual approach works best. A really good book to check out is Raising and Educating a Deaf Child. It is a must read for any parent of a Deaf child before they decide to do anything.
Other things to watch/read/resources:
Documentary - For a Deaf Son
Documentary - Sound and Fury
Book - Train Go Sorry
Book- Pictures in the Air: the Story of the National Theater for the Deaf
Website - Captioned Media Program
1 comment:
I did sign language with Mster and she picked it up fast. They say that a baby's ability to sign is developed before their speech. Mster's a hearing girl but signing is a wonderful way to communicate. And its nice to be able to understand what your child wants (deaf or hearing).
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