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Early intervention collaboration-deaf role models.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

This study examined the impact of Deaf Role Models on Early Intervention Programs. The study reveals benefits to Early Intervention Programs if they were to have a Deaf Role Models. The final analysis of this study finds that Early Intervention Programs that do have Deaf Role Models realize the value of consulting and collaborating with these individuals.

Introduction

Communication is a foundation to build language upon. Without basic communication skills language is often delayed. This is an infamous argument in deaf education today, how so many deaf and hard of hearing children are language delayed. Two significant factors that contribute to this include: (1) hearing parents often do not know how to begin communicating with their deaf or hard of hearing child and so they avoid it or deny their child might need some other sort of communication system than what the parents are accustomed to and, (2) parents are not aware of how to make their child's world more visual or accessible and until they meet someone who is knowledgeable of such things like a Deaf Role Model or a teacher of the deaf. Precious time for building communication and eventually language may slip by hearing parents if they remain in a grief cycle over their child's deafness or hearing loss.

When hearing parents discover that their child is deaf, it brings to the forefront new and unexpected challenges that mainly include how best to communicate with their child and what type of educational setting is the best fit for their child's method of communication (sign language, speaking or both). Yet depending on their background, many deaf parents already seem to know how to communicate with their child. Language for these families is often already in place. This is one of the most significant advantages deaf parents have and one of the most challenging disadvantages that hearing parents have. Ninety percent of children who are deaf are born to hearing parents (Padden & Humphries, 1988). The possibility of a hearing parent encountering a deaf adult who is successful and participates as a functional member of society will depend on where they live as Deaf Communities tend to be found in urban areas....