it shows that we need to educate the audiologists, etc, since this audiologist stresses that most audiologists aren’t aware of deaf person’s perspective. And she notes that it is the greatest irony. We couldn’t have asked for better acknowledgement than an audiologist. She also points out the bias of the audiologists and they need to be alerted to that, especially if they aren’t aware of this bias.
I was surprised too that AVT is now under AG Bell, and although this makes sense given the history of AG Bell, it gives us a stronger feeling of urgency.
AG Bell’s core belief that visual learning must be secondary to “auditory pathway development” is a false assumption that has caused much unhappiness and derailed tens of thousands of Deaf peoples’ education over the past hundred years.
We need to break down this belief in the most unarguable way possible: hitting them with research, true stories, statistics and legislation.
It is very straightforward honest commnets which demonstrate clear facts but at sametimes, FDA guidelines about having CI already mislead to the number of issues that show CI doesn’t benefit to most of the Deaf childs, why FDA did not listen those Deaf Professionals who know the truth, Money is important to FDA or Needs is not important to FDA? Audilogists are needed to be educated about Deaf’s own perspective,To me ASL as a language right, is needed to be a law to protect a Deaf child’s need is more important than having CI. Each Deaf child has right to be educated socially, bilingually and functionally! What is more Audoligists do not have any evidence of what accomplishment show? There is no evidence, then false!
Auditory-Verbal International, Inc. merges with Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Auditory-Verbal International, Inc. (AVI) has joined with the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell). AVI members voted in December to dissolve their organization and integrate with AG Bell. In a joint statement, Inez Janger, president of AG Bell, and Steve Rech, JD, president of AVI, said, “AG Bell and AVI share a vision that every child and adult with hearing loss should have the opportunity to learn to listen, talk, and live independently in mainstream society.
________________________
Another press release:
Washington, DC, November 29, 2005 – The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) is pleased to announce the launch of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language® (the Academy). A result of the combined work of Auditory-Verbal International, Inc. (AVI) and AG Bell, the Academy will develop and manage certification programs for professionals who provide services to children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Academy’s initial focus will be on the continued growth and recognition of the Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist® designation.
“Early diagnosis, hearing technology and early intervention have dramatically expanded opportunities for children with hearing loss to develop exceptional listening and spoken conversational skills. As a result, families and professionals are seeking specific knowledge and skills to improve services for children with hearing loss,†said Teresa Caraway, Ph.D., President of the Academy. “We already are seeing a growing demand for Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapists®. Over the next few years, the Academy will extend certification opportunities to other disciplines to improve educational opportunities for children with hearing loss.â€
________________________________________
“Growing Demand” - and “extend certification opportunities” - yes - it is getting bigger and bigger..
AVT Auditory Verbal Therapy is not GOD?S choice for any children’s hearing loss. Each child whose has hearing loss or profoundly deaf or other should have same opportunity in learning social, functional, and bilingual. Every individual with hearing loss or being deaf or hard of hearing need to be independence from AVT in very unbias, period! What is wrong with Deaf or Hard of hearing person who is unproductive? Who says so? What do AVT want from those people including a deaf baby signing?
I have begun to theorise that AG Bell eventually realised that oralism is such a fiasco. That accounts for the transition to AVT so to allow a deaf baby to pick up a spoken language as humanly as possible — in much the same way that a hearing baby picks up.
To make myself more clear, hearing babies do not take speech and lipreading training in order to speak a spoken language. They merely pick up a spoken language from being exposed daily from their parents. Therefore, the same approach, AG Bell theorises, or believes, should be applied for implanted babies to undertake AVT without taking the “old-fashioned training known as oralism, or speech-lipreading.
Speaking of six-month-old babies that were implanted seven years ago without any exposure to any signed language:: We should from now on be watching the linguistic process of impanted babies fron 2000 to 2015. If proven successful, there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop babies from being implanted. If proven unsuccessfui, we, the DBC group, will say to AG Bell: “We told you so!”
See, there are “non-AVT” organizations are not trying to merge with the AG Bell organization, except, the Auditory Verbal INTERNATIONAL, Inc. Obviously, to me, is that the AG Bell organization is trying to control many speech pathology, ENTs, professionals, linguistics, and others in this world.
AVI must divorce the AG Bell organization! They will have no freedom from AG Bell.
AGBAD is looking for Deaf children and is making an offering of them (sacrifice) to its god, AGB!
I do not think we can do business with AGBAD. Its goal is NOT to promote ASL at all due to $$$$ reasons according to VOLTA’s bylaws that was written by AGBAD’s god, AGB.
Yes I know there are many audiologists are very reasonable. I know some of them who already took ASL classes and that changed their view. They support children to learn both languages.
They can be our powerful ally in health care institutions.
If so, Deaf children will be winning.
It is time for us to pull down the statue of AGBAD’s god, AGB.
I applauded your great effort to invite your resourceful person, an audiologist to share his/her perspectives, theory, and opinion which based on AVT/AG Bell organization.
I find it’s very difficult in approach with various group to share perspectives on deaf babies. I knew we have heard many times that we grew up that hearing people kept telling us, the most famous quotation, “I want to do the best thing for my children”. That frustrated me a lot. I am sure others feel the same thing.
So far, I am deeply understand that most hearing parents confront the first-time experience to meet “new” person as deaf or hard of hearing and wish to communicate fluently in the similiar culture as in hearing world through oral communication. That’s their real concern to handle with their deaf or hard of hearing. Many of deaf and hard of hearing have the same experience through childhood by force to learn to speak, deprive us from learning ASL/social events, collective of information tool from around the world, and communication with the parents/relatives.
Why didn’t the AG Bell or AVT organization bother to find out how accomplishment the deaf-oriented families that they picked up ASL/English and attend Gallaudet/RIT where they succeed in their career field?
I don’t mean in general for hearing population but the medical group need to learn about our culture, language, and social active that similiar to other normal cultures around the global. To increase self-esteem and support system that will improve our lives to be in the paradise that God made us.
From what I read other blogs and comments about DBC, I find some comments may misunderstand what DBC conceptualized our object in our mission to promote AG Bell and other audiology and medical resources to educate the deaf babies to learn sign language before spoke language. DBC is not going to exclude AVT, cued speech, CI, SEE, or anything. Exclusively on deaf babies to learn ASL before speak language at early intervation. Anyone of you understand what Deaf Bilingual Coalition’s mission for us? Is it clear enough? With great appreciation effort from Amy Cohen Enfron’s vlog, I supported her all the way that I agreed.
I understand how controversial the issues are getting bigger across the U.S. and International with many perspectives. I pray one day, we will unitify each other to resolve these issues that will lead us into the paradise life.
This is a great message from the audiologist. We need to spread more to those group. I was thinking of the organizations, like speech, language and hearing association, for one example. Now, we need to ensure that the culumium (spelling?) that audiologists learn deaf’s perspectives on having language at early age.
Anyway, we need to do something for those money thristy organizations like AGBad and others. We need to find a way to wean them from us, and help them use the money somewhere else. We need to modify the system somehow.
They do not see Deaf adults fluent in English and having degrees from Gally or NTID as a measure of success. They give the success label to those who can talk intelligibly and comprehend spoken English. That’s the AGBell’s measure of a successful deaf person.
DBC must stay firm and clear on their mission of encouraging AVT for those who have implants and having them equal access to ASL during their formative years.
Sorry, Folks. That’s how THEY percieve sucess. The ability to communicate through the mouth and the ear.
Anna S: that’s exactly true. Also a voicebox (sexy or too deafy) was their way to measure the success in AGB’s book. This is probably the most bold move they are doing to push them harder, but all voice and listen are completely unnatural from them. Many got upset when perverts laughing at them. AGB wants to please parents as a business plan.
Yes I part of agree with #6 Dianrez comment and It is long way to fight to solve the problem ….Also want to make US deaf people to be happy in some way for furture DBC and even hearing people have deaf baby … this got to break the wall down and they got to listen to us in any comment for better or best way.
“I think they don’t even realize their bias,” said it all for me. Need cultural interventions in curriculum that tend to place high emphasis on pathological perspectives. It creates blindness or narrow-mindness in certain fields of science that exclude other tried and true options like early language acquisition for deaf infants via ASL. I rather have a deaf child have the early foundations to read and write and communicate via signs rather than pseudo-talking. Ignorance made deafness a stigma and that mainstream attitude needs to be changed.
My take is that the audiologist who made the last line, “The greatest irony indeed,” is a professional with integrity. That is a very rare admittance with dignity and grace. We are grateful for you to have made an arrangement for an interview with the audiologist.
THANK you SO much for your tenacious pursuit of this topic, and I especially like the analogy of the eye patch to AVT training. It says it all. The bigger irony is that using the eye patch only weakens the stronger eye! It strains the stronger eye to the point that the eye muscles weakens and the nerves harden. I bet the same is true for AVT training - it weakens language acquisition.
Nick: the idea of AVT therapy, and other components to help deaf child is full of waste and hassle in early stage of life. Communicate with him or her via conceptually (ASL) and English. PERIOD. The therapy takes away the child’s time and freedom if implementing all in once.
I feel that being involved with AVT and Audiologist that is needed to open the intellectual debate means social justice which is very important. It is very concerning serious about baby signing and force to put CI or enourage not letting baby signing express rather anti social justice. And making money that would strenght the organization, yes that is what happens to our biggest weakness in many different organizations to oppose the side of AFBELL or AGBAD. AGBAD easily get a large amount of money that influences FDA politically while NAD is real weak in having money, In real world Money always play and buy power!
Jean Boutcher says: “We should from now on be watching the linguistic process of impanted babies fron 2000 to 2015. If proven successful, there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop babies from being implanted. If proven unsuccessfui, we, the DBC group, will say to AG Bell: ‘We told you so!’”
This comment made me think of something I’ve been pondering for awhile, that is, how to measure Success. What is success? Is it merely speaking and listening? Maybe these implanted kids who have no exposure to ASL will grow up and use their equipment very successfully. They may have full, balanced, enriched lives without ASL. But who’s to know that some of them may have benefited in ways that can’t be charted on a graph from the additional use of a visual language. Who’s to know how much MORE ASL could’ve given to an already “good life”. It’s hard to reduce what is “successful” in terms of implant or ASL or both or none.
I really appreciated this audiologist’s thoughtful responses. From what I’ve seen, I know that the Profession may not have as much knowledge about the Deaf community. Thankfully, we are fortunate to not have experienced this. The children’s hospital where my son Ellis gets his audiological services is wonderfully open-minded on this issue.
Success is a word of many interpretation. CI/AVT is knopwn as the most unnatural therapy which will increase damage or risk. Those who born d/Deaf or HOH, are naturally successful human beings in America as long as staying united for the strongest country. Many countries look upon on us. Success means respect regardless who we are.. The therapy has always shown bias; therefore, it is lack of respect.
In the year of 2000 NAD and the Council on Deaf Education were involved Joint Committee with the American Academy of Audiology’s pdf “EDHI” from this link:
This was indeed very interesting to read - and especially that of the disclosure that AVT is now affiliated with AGBell. I have never really understood the concept of the audiologist’s goals - that is - their decision to work within the field of deafness. In this, surely they knew they’d be encountering a good many people who use ASL primarily and such as it is, would be encouraged to at least learn the basic signs. In all my years of going to them, I have only ONE time, run into an audiologist who knew any signs at all. I consider this yet another irony in this field. And regrettable
This was a great vlog! I think the problem with audiologist clinics is the same problem that our entire society has. Hearing audiologists and hearing people do not know enough about deaf culture. I am hearing and before I took a few ASL classes, I myself did not even realize that there was a deaf culture. Now I realize more than ever that the Deaf Community has its own language, customs, and culture. I believe that when hearing parents try to implement AVT into their child’s life, they really do believe that they are “doing what is best.” This is because they are not educated well enough about the other options. If I had a deaf child, I could not bare to watch my child spend hours and hours in unecessary frustrating therapy when those hours could be spent doing what kids are supposed to be doing…..playing, learning about life, and communicating effortlessly. Communication is huge part of everyone’s life and people should use the modality that comes most naturally to them.
I think that since they make such a big deal about how baby signing increases intelligence and vocabulary in hearing babies that they should still use it with the hearing impaired babies. I think the babies with a hearing disability should benefit from both signing and cochlear implants or hearing aids. We know that the babies with the hearing disability are already going to have trouble with their speech at least they can have sign to fall back on or at least alleviate some of their frustrations.
August 5th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Good post! Very educating!
August 5th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Thanks for sharing. It’s very interesting!!!!
August 5th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
it shows that we need to educate the audiologists, etc, since this audiologist stresses that most audiologists aren’t aware of deaf person’s perspective. And she notes that it is the greatest irony. We couldn’t have asked for better acknowledgement than an audiologist. She also points out the bias of the audiologists and they need to be alerted to that, especially if they aren’t aware of this bias.
August 5th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Excellent and honest information from an audiologists!
DBC is building a Website and surely would like this information on one of its content pages.
The Greatest Irony indeed!
John F. Egbert
August 5th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Great job! That is the whole point is to educate people, that’s all we need to do.
-SG
August 5th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I was surprised too that AVT is now under AG Bell, and although this makes sense given the history of AG Bell, it gives us a stronger feeling of urgency.
AG Bell’s core belief that visual learning must be secondary to “auditory pathway development” is a false assumption that has caused much unhappiness and derailed tens of thousands of Deaf peoples’ education over the past hundred years.
We need to break down this belief in the most unarguable way possible: hitting them with research, true stories, statistics and legislation.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
It is very straightforward honest commnets which demonstrate clear facts but at sametimes, FDA guidelines about having CI already mislead to the number of issues that show CI doesn’t benefit to most of the Deaf childs, why FDA did not listen those Deaf Professionals who know the truth, Money is important to FDA or Needs is not important to FDA? Audilogists are needed to be educated about Deaf’s own perspective,To me ASL as a language right, is needed to be a law to protect a Deaf child’s need is more important than having CI. Each Deaf child has right to be educated socially, bilingually and functionally! What is more Audoligists do not have any evidence of what accomplishment show? There is no evidence, then false!
August 5th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
DianRez:
According to my findings…
The Hearing Journal, February 2006
Auditory-Verbal International, Inc. merges with Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Auditory-Verbal International, Inc. (AVI) has joined with the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell). AVI members voted in December to dissolve their organization and integrate with AG Bell. In a joint statement, Inez Janger, president of AG Bell, and Steve Rech, JD, president of AVI, said, “AG Bell and AVI share a vision that every child and adult with hearing loss should have the opportunity to learn to listen, talk, and live independently in mainstream society.
________________________
Another press release:
Washington, DC, November 29, 2005 – The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) is pleased to announce the launch of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language® (the Academy). A result of the combined work of Auditory-Verbal International, Inc. (AVI) and AG Bell, the Academy will develop and manage certification programs for professionals who provide services to children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Academy’s initial focus will be on the continued growth and recognition of the Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist® designation.
“Early diagnosis, hearing technology and early intervention have dramatically expanded opportunities for children with hearing loss to develop exceptional listening and spoken conversational skills. As a result, families and professionals are seeking specific knowledge and skills to improve services for children with hearing loss,†said Teresa Caraway, Ph.D., President of the Academy. “We already are seeing a growing demand for Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapists®. Over the next few years, the Academy will extend certification opportunities to other disciplines to improve educational opportunities for children with hearing loss.â€
________________________________________
“Growing Demand” - and “extend certification opportunities” - yes - it is getting bigger and bigger..
Amy Cohen Efron
August 5th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
AVT Auditory Verbal Therapy is not GOD?S choice for any children’s hearing loss. Each child whose has hearing loss or profoundly deaf or other should have same opportunity in learning social, functional, and bilingual. Every individual with hearing loss or being deaf or hard of hearing need to be independence from AVT in very unbias, period! What is wrong with Deaf or Hard of hearing person who is unproductive? Who says so? What do AVT want from those people including a deaf baby signing?
August 6th, 2007 at 12:32 am
You guys who started deafread really did something BIG as if it were a revolution.
You’re documentating a greatest irony of the greatest deaf history!
I’m glad this audiologist came forward with right answers! And this is beginning for DBC to grow!
August 6th, 2007 at 12:59 am
Amy,
I have begun to theorise that AG Bell eventually realised that oralism is such a fiasco. That accounts for the transition to AVT so to allow a deaf baby to pick up a spoken language as humanly as possible — in much the same way that a hearing baby picks up.
To make myself more clear, hearing babies do not take speech and lipreading training in order to speak a spoken language. They merely pick up a spoken language from being exposed daily from their parents. Therefore, the same approach, AG Bell theorises, or believes, should be applied for implanted babies to undertake AVT without taking the “old-fashioned training known as oralism, or speech-lipreading.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:18 am
Post SCriptum:
Speaking of six-month-old babies that were implanted seven years ago without any exposure to any signed language:: We should from now on be watching the linguistic process of impanted babies fron 2000 to 2015. If proven successful, there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop babies from being implanted. If proven unsuccessfui, we, the DBC group, will say to AG Bell: “We told you so!”
August 6th, 2007 at 6:33 am
See, there are “non-AVT” organizations are not trying to merge with the AG Bell organization, except, the Auditory Verbal INTERNATIONAL, Inc. Obviously, to me, is that the AG Bell organization is trying to control many speech pathology, ENTs, professionals, linguistics, and others in this world.
AVI must divorce the AG Bell organization! They will have no freedom from AG Bell.
White Ghost
August 6th, 2007 at 8:17 am
I knew it.
AGBAD is looking for Deaf children and is making an offering of them (sacrifice) to its god, AGB!
I do not think we can do business with AGBAD. Its goal is NOT to promote ASL at all due to $$$$ reasons according to VOLTA’s bylaws that was written by AGBAD’s god, AGB.
Yes I know there are many audiologists are very reasonable. I know some of them who already took ASL classes and that changed their view. They support children to learn both languages.
They can be our powerful ally in health care institutions.
If so, Deaf children will be winning.
It is time for us to pull down the statue of AGBAD’s god, AGB.
Deafchip
August 6th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Amy,
I applauded your great effort to invite your resourceful person, an audiologist to share his/her perspectives, theory, and opinion which based on AVT/AG Bell organization.
I find it’s very difficult in approach with various group to share perspectives on deaf babies. I knew we have heard many times that we grew up that hearing people kept telling us, the most famous quotation, “I want to do the best thing for my children”. That frustrated me a lot. I am sure others feel the same thing.
So far, I am deeply understand that most hearing parents confront the first-time experience to meet “new” person as deaf or hard of hearing and wish to communicate fluently in the similiar culture as in hearing world through oral communication. That’s their real concern to handle with their deaf or hard of hearing. Many of deaf and hard of hearing have the same experience through childhood by force to learn to speak, deprive us from learning ASL/social events, collective of information tool from around the world, and communication with the parents/relatives.
Why didn’t the AG Bell or AVT organization bother to find out how accomplishment the deaf-oriented families that they picked up ASL/English and attend Gallaudet/RIT where they succeed in their career field?
I don’t mean in general for hearing population but the medical group need to learn about our culture, language, and social active that similiar to other normal cultures around the global. To increase self-esteem and support system that will improve our lives to be in the paradise that God made us.
From what I read other blogs and comments about DBC, I find some comments may misunderstand what DBC conceptualized our object in our mission to promote AG Bell and other audiology and medical resources to educate the deaf babies to learn sign language before spoke language. DBC is not going to exclude AVT, cued speech, CI, SEE, or anything. Exclusively on deaf babies to learn ASL before speak language at early intervation. Anyone of you understand what Deaf Bilingual Coalition’s mission for us? Is it clear enough? With great appreciation effort from Amy Cohen Enfron’s vlog, I supported her all the way that I agreed.
I understand how controversial the issues are getting bigger across the U.S. and International with many perspectives. I pray one day, we will unitify each other to resolve these issues that will lead us into the paradise life.
Warmly regards,
Nick
August 6th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Amy,
This is a great message from the audiologist. We need to spread more to those group. I was thinking of the organizations, like speech, language and hearing association, for one example. Now, we need to ensure that the culumium (spelling?) that audiologists learn deaf’s perspectives on having language at early age.
Anyway, we need to do something for those money thristy organizations like AGBad and others. We need to find a way to wean them from us, and help them use the money somewhere else. We need to modify the system somehow.
thanks, deafk
August 6th, 2007 at 10:04 am
They do not see Deaf adults fluent in English and having degrees from Gally or NTID as a measure of success. They give the success label to those who can talk intelligibly and comprehend spoken English. That’s the AGBell’s measure of a successful deaf person.
DBC must stay firm and clear on their mission of encouraging AVT for those who have implants and having them equal access to ASL during their formative years.
Sorry, Folks. That’s how THEY percieve sucess. The ability to communicate through the mouth and the ear.
August 6th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Anna S: that’s exactly true. Also a voicebox (sexy or too deafy) was their way to measure the success in AGB’s book. This is probably the most bold move they are doing to push them harder, but all voice and listen are completely unnatural from them. Many got upset when perverts laughing at them. AGB wants to please parents as a business plan.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Yes I part of agree with #6 Dianrez comment and It is long way to fight to solve the problem ….Also want to make US deaf people to be happy in some way for furture DBC and even hearing people have deaf baby … this got to break the wall down and they got to listen to us in any comment for better or best way.
Davy
August 6th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Amy, what a difference you are making in the world! You are the spark that got a fire going! I’m so proud of you.
Hugs,
~ LaRonda
August 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
“I think they don’t even realize their bias,” said it all for me. Need cultural interventions in curriculum that tend to place high emphasis on pathological perspectives. It creates blindness or narrow-mindness in certain fields of science that exclude other tried and true options like early language acquisition for deaf infants via ASL. I rather have a deaf child have the early foundations to read and write and communicate via signs rather than pseudo-talking. Ignorance made deafness a stigma and that mainstream attitude needs to be changed.
August 6th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Amy,
My take is that the audiologist who made the last line, “The greatest irony indeed,” is a professional with integrity. That is a very rare admittance with dignity and grace. We are grateful for you to have made an arrangement for an interview with the audiologist.
Warmest regards,
Jean
August 6th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
THANK you SO much for your tenacious pursuit of this topic, and I especially like the analogy of the eye patch to AVT training. It says it all. The bigger irony is that using the eye patch only weakens the stronger eye! It strains the stronger eye to the point that the eye muscles weakens and the nerves harden. I bet the same is true for AVT training - it weakens language acquisition.
August 6th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Nick: the idea of AVT therapy, and other components to help deaf child is full of waste and hassle in early stage of life. Communicate with him or her via conceptually (ASL) and English. PERIOD. The therapy takes away the child’s time and freedom if implementing all in once.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:22 am
One more thing….with anticipated funding available that NAD could have, should DBC be included and partnered?
August 8th, 2007 at 9:38 am
I feel that being involved with AVT and Audiologist that is needed to open the intellectual debate means social justice which is very important. It is very concerning serious about baby signing and force to put CI or enourage not letting baby signing express rather anti social justice. And making money that would strenght the organization, yes that is what happens to our biggest weakness in many different organizations to oppose the side of AFBELL or AGBAD. AGBAD easily get a large amount of money that influences FDA politically while NAD is real weak in having money, In real world Money always play and buy power!
August 8th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Jean Boutcher says: “We should from now on be watching the linguistic process of impanted babies fron 2000 to 2015. If proven successful, there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop babies from being implanted. If proven unsuccessfui, we, the DBC group, will say to AG Bell: ‘We told you so!’”
This comment made me think of something I’ve been pondering for awhile, that is, how to measure Success. What is success? Is it merely speaking and listening? Maybe these implanted kids who have no exposure to ASL will grow up and use their equipment very successfully. They may have full, balanced, enriched lives without ASL. But who’s to know that some of them may have benefited in ways that can’t be charted on a graph from the additional use of a visual language. Who’s to know how much MORE ASL could’ve given to an already “good life”. It’s hard to reduce what is “successful” in terms of implant or ASL or both or none.
I really appreciated this audiologist’s thoughtful responses. From what I’ve seen, I know that the Profession may not have as much knowledge about the Deaf community. Thankfully, we are fortunate to not have experienced this. The children’s hospital where my son Ellis gets his audiological services is wonderfully open-minded on this issue.
August 9th, 2007 at 12:59 am
Success is a word of many interpretation. CI/AVT is knopwn as the most unnatural therapy which will increase damage or risk. Those who born d/Deaf or HOH, are naturally successful human beings in America as long as staying united for the strongest country. Many countries look upon on us. Success means respect regardless who we are.. The therapy has always shown bias; therefore, it is lack of respect.
In God We Trust. AGBell was never the answer.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:03 am
In the year of 2000 NAD and the Council on Deaf Education were involved Joint Committee with the American Academy of Audiology’s pdf “EDHI” from this link:
http://www.audiology.org/NR/rdonlyres/FCBA163D-8A22-4854-A73C-ED694EF8ED23/0/jcihearly.pdf
It’s 23 pages. Thanks, Shawn
September 1st, 2007 at 3:36 am
Amy
This was indeed very interesting to read - and especially that of the disclosure that AVT is now affiliated with AGBell. I have never really understood the concept of the audiologist’s goals - that is - their decision to work within the field of deafness. In this, surely they knew they’d be encountering a good many people who use ASL primarily and such as it is, would be encouraged to at least learn the basic signs. In all my years of going to them, I have only ONE time, run into an audiologist who knew any signs at all. I consider this yet another irony in this field. And regrettable
RF Walker
September 9th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Amy,
This was a great vlog! I think the problem with audiologist clinics is the same problem that our entire society has. Hearing audiologists and hearing people do not know enough about deaf culture. I am hearing and before I took a few ASL classes, I myself did not even realize that there was a deaf culture. Now I realize more than ever that the Deaf Community has its own language, customs, and culture. I believe that when hearing parents try to implement AVT into their child’s life, they really do believe that they are “doing what is best.” This is because they are not educated well enough about the other options. If I had a deaf child, I could not bare to watch my child spend hours and hours in unecessary frustrating therapy when those hours could be spent doing what kids are supposed to be doing…..playing, learning about life, and communicating effortlessly. Communication is huge part of everyone’s life and people should use the modality that comes most naturally to them.
September 10th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
I think that since they make such a big deal about how baby signing increases intelligence and vocabulary in hearing babies that they should still use it with the hearing impaired babies. I think the babies with a hearing disability should benefit from both signing and cochlear implants or hearing aids. We know that the babies with the hearing disability are already going to have trouble with their speech at least they can have sign to fall back on or at least alleviate some of their frustrations.