SMILES

I have a 3 year old son that is envolved in a Headstart
Program and is in a Hearing Impaired class learning Total
Communication. I was told Chance has a 45 db loss in both ears
but it only envolves his middle ear. Seeking any information on
speech therapy and Total Communication. The pros and cons of
teaching him sign language. I was told by hte speech path in his
cleft palate team that it would hinder him and not help. Please
respond. Desperate for info. THANKYOU!

We are in a similar situation, except that our son is younger.
The advice that I was given in regards to teacing sign, is that
the sign can be taught to help faciliate language, but not to
replace it. We are teaching our son signs, but also helping him
try to verbalize as well. The signing has really helped him by
decreasing his frustration level. We hope, however that the
signing will be a crutch to use on his pathway to learning to
communicate through speech.

Hi, speaking as a deaf educator, early childhood special
educator, parent-infant advisor (SKI*HI), and SLP, you should
investigate the oral option of introducing the world to your
child. With a 45 dB loss, that is conductive, you should be able
to get excellent amplification, giving your child only a slight
hearing loss. Even with a severe to profound loss hearing
impaired children can learn to speak, and with out the
"deaf" speech voice quality. If you want a visual aid
to support oral communication, look into cued speech. I certainly
would give my child the opportunity to be oral (without cued
speech), but it's another option. p.s. Have you tried to sign a
complete sentence and talk at the same time? I asked a very
skilled interpreter why SHE needed an interpreter whle she was
explaining the role she played working with the deaf. She said,
" I can't speak and sign at the same time." (She about
choked on her words because she is pro-sign and I am pro-oral. We
had many conversations about this before her revelation! She was
raising a mildly hearing impaired daughter with total
communication, and I was raising my profoundly deaf daughter with
oral. We have to respect all parents decisions. We don't have too
understand them! Hope I gave you something to encourage you. trac