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Originally Posted By Jane

My daughter is hearing impaired. While she understands us well, we have a hard time understanding her. When do we give up and try sign language? Where do I find out where to take her. Her specailist is of no help.

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Originally Posted By Kalen

I teach in a building with 5 units of hearing impaired children, I will get you any information you want, post again or email me directly, tell me what state you are in and specific questions you would like answered.

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Originally Posted By Jane

Thank you Kalen, I live in AZ and would love any info you can give me. I tried emailing you also but I have been having so problems with that. Please feel free to email me.

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Originally Posted By Jennifer

Jane, I am a teacher of the deaf. I have a master's degree in deaf education. The critical age for any child to learn language is between 0-5. If your child has a sev-profound loss you should use sign language or at least sign supported speech. Don't give up on speech "of course" but the most important thing is allowing your child to develop a language. From experience I can tell you that deaf children who have a firm language "vocabulary bank" before age 5 do MUCH better than their language delayed peers. If that language is sign language it WILL NOT undermine your efforts in usable speech- it will only help. IF you need any other infor email me. Paycheck@kih.net good luck.

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Originally Posted By mary

I feel if your daughter has hearing lose it is best if you teach her sign language asap. It will help her later in life. Learning sign will help her learn faster. If she doesn't have any hearing lose then just take it slow and be patient.

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Originally Posted By Cathy

Our son (18 mos.) is also hearing impaired (profound loss). His loss was identified at 6 mos. and we began teaching him ASL at that time. At 18 mos., he can communicate to us using about 20 different signs - more, eat, help, mom, dad, ball, shoes, drink, etc. - and understands signed sentences and about 100 different signs. Contact your local school district - they are very helpful and can provide some great services. In addition, try contacting your county Early Intervention program - they have been wonderful to us in both Oregon (where we moved from 4 mos. ago) and in Texas (new home). If you would like more info, please contact me at lovemark@pdq.net.

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Originally Posted By Cheryl

You need to start Now. I have a son who is deaf, fromMengitis. I ahve used Total Communications from the get go and he has done well. I have advanced my skills and work right along with him. As the deaf say"Train go Sorry" means you missed the boat, ( hearing ) Don't miss her boat, ride with her

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Originally Posted By Tracey

My son has some hearing loss through constant ear infections. Not one of my Doctors would put tubes in Saying it was last resort. Well he is going to be 5 in December and he tested at a 3 yr. old level he is making great progress with the teachers he has at school in a program PPCD which stands for (Preschool for children with disabilities) There is help out there and most programs offered are free or income based. Through my experience I have learned you are the best advocate for your child. Keep trying other doctors, I realize can be tricky with insurance but find places in your community. Your child depends on you to help them get the help they need.

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Originally Posted By Cheryl

I think sign language should be a first concideration not a last. In a long run your daughter with do better knowing sign in all aspects of life.

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Originally Posted By Cathy

Hello....i was just looking for a deaf child to adopt and ran across your message.....I am an Interpreter for the deaf and an ASL (American Sign Language Instructor) and a person who has more than formal training in working with hearing impaired/deaf...I have a huge love & respect for these folks! I know both sides of the debate about oral/vs. sign language....but what is really the most important issue here isn't the language itself....Rather, it is your child's self esteem and ability to communicate!!! Sign Language is fun!!! One day your child will thank you for taking every step necessary to be able to communicate..AND for not closing any doors .I would begin with the deaf school in your area...most local community colleges/adult education classes welcome adults who want to learn this newly accredited Foreign Language!! Almost every town has a local "deaf club"...places where they meet and socialize. I love this language and the people who use it! What good is a language to a person that doesn'
t comprehend it?? I'm saying...use it all!! Use the speech therapist (she'd get a lot farther ...smile...if she knew Sign Language, probably)....teach English,and Signed English & ASL!!Both of you take the language and the clild and enjoy learning from and teaching each other! Love n prayers, Cathy <*}}>><

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Originally Posted By Cathy Ayon

OOPS! Just realized that another "Cathy" had written to you..earlier...I'm not her...smiling...my e-mail address is Cyberangel2k@cs.com if you ever want to write and let me know how you are doing! Sincerely, Cath

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Originally Posted By Beth Willis

Do not give up! Try "Total Communication", it is the best of both worlds. Continue to work on speech while incorporating American Sign Language. Check out a local Deaf Service Center. They will have classes for your child and your family. There are also numerous resources in bookstores. We have a sign language dictionary that is invaluable to us. We have two Deaf children and we label everything with the sign and a word. Communication is wonderful! Do whatever it takes to communicate with your child. If your specialist does not agree with your ideas regarding your child, look around for another specialist. Do what is best for your family!

Beth

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Originally Posted By Julia

I would get either on line, or find some area schools that offer some sort of total communicaiton programs, or bi-bi programs (bicultural/bilanguage)-children have that need to communicate-by the time a child is 2, he's already figured out how to communicate and get what he wants, already can communicate quite effectively, and knows many words and some sentences. By the time theyve started school, think of what a hearing child already has-the language, the communication, more vocabulary. The deaf child doesn't have any of that and that in turn will slow that child down to where they may never be caught up with their peers. BAbies begin taking in language from the start-its only fair the same thing happens to deaf babies. They need a language before they can do anything else. I would contact any center for the deaf(whether it be a deaf center that handles interpreter info-they'll know someone that can help) or try contacting a vocational rehabilitation center-i know in TX, the TRC often helps with matters like that. Best to you and will be praying for you!

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Originally Posted By To Jane

Research shows that development of sign language skills will not harm your daughter, or delay her development of English skills. In fact the opposite is true. Children who have good American Sign Language skills tend to also have a higher level of development of English skills. Contact your local school district's special education department, and ask for the Deaf Education specialist. In addition, you should contact your state's Association of the Deaf. They can assist you in finding Sign Language classes that are taught by competent teachers, as well as refer you to a local Deaf club where you can meet and talk with Deaf community members (Deaf adults) which will also help you in developing your own sign skills. Then use it in your home and enjoy the new communication and connection you will be able to have with your daughter!

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Originally Posted By KKretzmer@ hotmail.com

Hi,
I am a deaf mother of one deaf child and one hearing child. i myself did not become deaf until I was almost 18. I did have a hard time accepting my own deafness and to be honest my daughters was harder to accept. When you ask the ? when do we give up and try to sign? you need to step back and realize that you are not giving up anything but gaining the right to have full communication with your daughter. If others tell you not to sign you can take that into consideration but you must always decide what is more important. To care about what others are telling you or to be able to understand what your own daughter is thinking feeling and wanting. We use both sign and speech most of the time in our home and it has benefitted both myself and my daughter and instead of people looking down on us we have had most people in aww of our children who are both bi lingual. Please e mail me if you'd like to talk.
A concerned mother.