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NAD Takes Action for Deaf Babies
By advocacy | October 1, 2007
Early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs have been set up in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The NAD has supported EHDI for many years. The goals of these EHDI programs are:Â
(1) to screen babies for hearing by age one month (a simple hearing screen usually is done before a newborn baby leaves the hospital);
(2) to provide confirmation of hearing status by age three months for babies suspected to be deaf or hard of hearing; and
(3) to ensure that families with babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are enrolled in appropriate early intervention programs by the time the child is six months old.Â
Here is a summary of some recent NAD activities related to EHDI. In all of these activities, the NAD educates professionals, policymakers, and other people about the importance of providing parents with information about language and communication choices, including and especially American Sign Language (ASL). Further, the NAD works to ensure that any publication about early intervention reflects a positive attitude towards ASL.
Click here to learn more about how you can support deaf and hard of hearing children in your community.
Recent NAD activities related to EHDI:
EHDI Conference Planning CommitteeÂ
Every year there is a national conference for professionals, parents, and other people interested in EHDI. This year, the NAD is serving on the planning committee for the 2008 national EHDI conference, which will be held in New Orleans next February and is expected to attract over 500 participants.Â
The NAD is working to ensure that all perspectives are included on the conference agenda. The NAD also will be submitting workshop proposals. Past presentation topics at EHDI conferences have included audism, advocacy, deaf-hearing partnerships, ASL/English bilingualism, the involvement of deaf professionals in EHDI programs, and the legal right to language and communication, as well as many medically-oriented presentations.
 The NAD encourages professionals, parents, and others interested in EHDI to submit proposals to conduct workshops, too (deadline is October 15, 2007).Â
For more information about the 2008 EHDI conference, see http://www.infanthearing.org/meeting/ehdi2008/index.html.
EHDI Bill
The NAD participated in the crafting of a bill to reauthorize the federal Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Act. When passed, this new EHDI law, like its predecessor, will authorize funding for state EHDI programs. Among other things, the law will require EHDI programs to collaborate and consult with consumers when carrying out these programs, require policymakers to include consumers in developing EHDI policy, and require EHDI systems to offer parents a range of communication choices and program options.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance, of which the NAD is a co-chair, recently arranged a briefing for members of Congress about this bill. Among the presenters were two members of Congress, an audiologist, an otolaryngologist, a parent, and an early interventionist (who is deaf), who stressed the importance of communication choices and opportunities for families and children.Â
Gallaudet Leadership Institute
The NAD helped lead a new program at the Gallaudet Leadership Institute at Gallaudet University. The Early Intervention Institute is a new certificate program designed for individuals who have current or prospective employment in early intervention, educational programming, or a related position. The program was offered for the first time during the summer of 2007 and 12 professionals from around the United States participated.Â
For more information about the Early Intervention Institute, see http://gli.gallaudet.edu/Flyers/2008/early_intervention2.pdf.
Infant and Toddler Program Comments
The NAD, through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance, submitted comments to the U.S. Department Education on the Infant and Toddler Program of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The comments included recommendations about the use of ASL with deaf and hard of hearing children as well as support that should be provided to families learning ASL.
Topics: General |
October 1st, 2007 at 1:01 pm
What are you talking about? Please do use your vlog and explain those things in face to face! That will be appreciated to share your points out to all of us in public! Thanks, Shawn
October 1st, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I must agree with ASLisRisen. It is better to provide both vlog and blog. Many Deaf people prefer information using their native language. Bobbie did start to do some vlogs and then she stopped. What happened?
The title of this blog is misleading. It looks like NAD supports Deaf babies, but you know screenings encourage pathological views of Deaf babies. Also, what did you mean by early intervention? AVT? or ASL? Big difference! I’d think it is better if you take a strong position.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I must admit that I am pretty disappointed in you and NAD. Why?
Because:
NAD did NOT promote the EDHI over the years UNTIL Amy Cohen Efron announced the “Greatest Irony” in her vlog. If not for the vlogging, NOTHING would have happened! Even if not for Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC), nothing would not have happened as well.
NAD must recognize and honor Amy Cohen Efron for providing the information about the deaf babies and ASL in her vlog.
That is good to have the information technology nowadays.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:24 pm
If not a strong position, the NAD must be right there (presenting the deaf view, ASL, etc) along with the medical people and others so that parents have a balanced view before making their choices. Historically, the deaf perspective has been absent at this very critical stage.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I agree.
Best Wishes,
Ms. Katrina
October 1st, 2007 at 6:18 pm
And well done to you, all folks.
Best Wishes again,
Ms. Katrina
October 1st, 2007 at 6:47 pm
It is clear that NAD did support EDHI for years. But, obviously the program needs more work. One reason could be, no watch dog or monitor group. What we have now is a lot better than what we had 30-40 years ago and prior. I don’t see putting down NAD is going to do any good. A lot of times, people complain and put down an organization and they are not involved with it in the first place!! if you complain, then join it and see if you can help that organization be a better one. Sometimes that works! I’m not part of NAD, so i’m speaking based on my own independent perspective.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:22 pm
It Takes a Village……
We all need everyone of us, NAD, DBC, progressive activists like yourself to help Deaf babies’s parents to understand about cognitive language, ASL.
Let’s work together.
John
October 1st, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Thanks for sharing the information and it is really helpful. I have some questions that I hope you can get back to us.
1. “Further, the NAD works to ensure that any publication about early intervention reflects a positive attitude towards ASL.”
Can you tell me what actions were taken lately to ensure positive attitude towards ASL especially to parents of Deaf children? Based on what I have seen, parents of Deaf babies are not informed in a balanced way about the benefits of ASL/English bilingualism. Instead they were just provided a simple list by a hearing person for them to select without any such orientation or workshop by Deaf professionalist. Parents make choices but they are not being explained equally about the benefits of bilingualism.
2. It is good to know that NAD has been involved in workshops at EHDI. Can you tell us what are possible topics provided by NAD so that it will help us to come up with different topics?
3. “EHDI programs to collaborate and consult with consumers when carrying out these programs, require policymakers to include consumers in developing EHDI policy, and require EHDI systems to offer parents a range of communication choices and program options.”
Can you tell us what does the funding look like for parents to receive a range of communication choices and program options? So often, speech therapists were made available to come to their homes but ASL therapists. We still have a long way to go!
4. The NAD, through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance, submitted comments to the U.S. Department Education on the Infant and Toddler Program of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The comments included recommendations about the use of ASL with deaf and hard of hearing children as well as support that should be provided to families learning ASL.
How long ago was that? Are these comments updated in IDEA yet?
Thanks for answering my questions and I look forward to your response. Like John said, let’s work together!
October 1st, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Wow even the dust from this old swordbane still floats in the air.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:38 pm
just do for your rights!!!!!!!!!!!
better not mess on deaf people feeling
thanks!
mike____________-
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:07 am
Most physicians refer parents to the AGBell Association for the Deaf and do not know of the NAD except as a name on a list, if at all. We must share the stage with the Bell people as is our right.
This is an appropriate function for NAD to take and could save the futures of thousands of Deaf individuals who otherwise would have lost their most formative years to the experiments of AVT and oralism and ended up with permanent language limitations.
You go, NAD! In the name of those lions of the Deaf community, George Veditz and Frederick Schreiber, continue to carry the banner of full access for all deaf and Deaf people from the cradle onwards!
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:44 am
I am pleased to see the NAD is continued to be involved with the EHDI.
I have been looking into the Colorado EHDI and they have a “deaf/hh”
consumer rep on the advisory council. Unfortunately, this particular
“deaf/hh” consumer rep and past d/hh consumer reps does not sign or promote sign language.
What can NAD do to ensure that each state have a representative using ASL? I don’t see any information on the policies requiring the individual to be an ASL user to be on the advisory council. Policies shows that the advisory council must have “deaf or hard of hearing consumer rep” on
the council. The definition of “deaf” needs to be re-defined. Maybe
start changing the requirements: instead of using the term “deaf/hh”, use “ASL user” to be on board?
Jennifer
Colorado
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:48 am
Where can I find the NAD’s comments on Infant and Toddler program on this website? I am unable to find NAD’s comments.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Thank you for your questions and comments. We will be posting more information soon.
Barbara Raimondo
Staff Attorney
National Association of the Deaf
October 6th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Congratulations on NAD’s leadership to take action for Deaf babies. Sign language rights must be respected and implemented immediately. American Sign language(ASL) is not option but this is clearly human rights issue. Please visit at http://www.slr-canada.net and see Gary Malkowski’s message and click on key issues.
Again, congratulations on NAD team to post this wonderful Advocacy Blog
Gary Malkowski, Proud NAD Member, Toronto, Canada
October 10th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
The goals of these EHDI programs are:
(1) to screen babies for hearing by age one month (a simple hearing screen usually is done before a newborn baby leaves the hospital);
(2) to provide confirmation of hearing status by age three months for babies suspected to be deaf or hard of hearing; and
(3) to ensure that families with babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are enrolled in appropriate early intervention programs by the time the child is six months old.
I think you forgot the part where babies should be aided by 8 weeks of age or earlier to ensure that there brain is receiving some auditory stimulation. THAT should be #2.
October 14th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Greetings NAD,
I just want to share my something to say from my video link: http://asl.deafvideo.tv/watch/3179
Hope you all NAD staff will have a very wonderful blessing day!
Thanks for accepting my something to say. Shawn
October 15th, 2007 at 1:12 am
Hello,
I am new to all of this. I have a 7 month old deaf grandson. I love him no matter what. His father has left you can figure out the reason. I dont care that he is deaf he is wonderful and full of joy. My question is what is the feeling about implants? I am very confused about all of this and would like some input from people who know and understand how he feels and will feel in the future. I hope you can give me some insight on this issue so that I may make an informed decission. I dont feel my grandson has a handicap he just cant hear.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:07 am
about 7 month old grandson i suggest you that go take a class asl one and you can commute with any deaf kids and please do not to implant on that kid please do not listen any doctor about the implant!.. i was born deaf and i do happy what i have now!.. cause i can commute with any hearing world without the implant on my head!.. write or gesture with hearing world no problem. the American Sign Language is my life so i suggest you take a class and learn to sign lanaguage, it will be easy for you in long run!.. once you know how to commute that kid and he will love you so dearly!..thank you for your time to read my story..
October 26th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Lisa,
I am deaf. I have 5 months old deaf. I dont ever want to implant my daughter at all. cutting her head to fix the hearing is not the way.
I am not against implant but against to implant a baby or toddler!
There are many many ways for a deaf kid to get the best education. Deaf schools, Deaf program in public school(large numbers and deaf teachers) Having a deaf teacher with ASL in public school is the greatest influence in a deaf kid’s life!
it is worth for you to go to ASL courses in any community colleges near you.
Learning Deaf Culture is the best tool for you.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:35 am
For Lisa with the 7 month old grandson, the choice of implants is not an easy one. If you are able to hear, then it is natural to want the same for your grandchild. There is nothing wrong with that. Just as Deaf parents would probably choose to raise their child Deaf and have ASL as their primary language.
Either choice you make requires dedication on your part. If you choose the cochlear implants, then you will need to make sure you attend all of the doctor visits and you will have to work extra at ensuring proper language development. If you choose to raise him Deaf, then you will need to learn ASL to communicate with him and you will need to make sure he is receiving the proper education. With many Deaf people, ASL is their first language and English is their second. An example of this would be to read some of the above postings. Many people are not as strong in their second language as their first.
Some people are against implanting infants, but that is the time when children are most likely to learn spoken language. Research has shown that children implanted later do not generally have language development as good as those implanted when young. There is also no guarantee in your grandson’s hearing ability with the implants.
If it was my child, I would choose to have my child implanted, because I know what it is like to hear. I would also have my child learn ASL because my child is still deaf and cochlear implants are not a cure for deafness. When they are not wearing the processor, they are unable to hear. If I had a child that was blind and there was an ocular implant that would help him see, then yes I would probably choose that too. I would choose the different implants because I have been able to see and hear all of my life and I know what my child is missing.
This brings us to a touchy subject with the Deaf community. There are many that don’t agree with implants and they would not accept him into their culture. While that is true, there are also people in the Deaf culture that would.
You are doing the right thing by looking into both hearing and deaf options. Many hearing people do not know about Deaf culture, so they do not choose it. I can only give my point of view, but I am sure that there are plenty of people or resources out there that can tell you about Deaf culture and how great it is.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:13 am
There should be a mandatory that ASL be included in Family Communitation Education at birth or by age of 3 months old regardless of communication options.
I want to see a great emphasis be included in the choice of CI or AVT that ASL doesn’t hinder speech development or brain activity that targets stimulations responsible for hearing and speech. We need to eliminate the myth that has been around for decades because it had caused great impact on parents’partially informed decisions or misled their beliefs and hopes for their deaf children This myth, as a result, deprived these children’s natural and timely development intellectually, socially and emotionally.
ASL should be encouraged for all parents to learn and use with their deaf infants immedicately upon their discovery of the infant’s hearing loss. While the use of hearing aid stimulates the brain to process the sounds by age of 3 mos old, ASL is more critial tool to use at 3 mos of age for language inputs regardless the option the parents made.
The infant will grow and show its blueprint for natural information processing whether it is visual or auditorial. For example, some hearing children are visual processors and even some deaf children are auditorial processors. They were born with these traits. Some deaf children with CI are visual processor and do not benefit from CI well. Therefore, use of ASL optimizes their learning and social experiences than AVT. We must respect their natural learning and processing style and support their overall developments through means that work best for each child. By using this approach and without restrictions, each child can have full access to information in both communiction and literacy, and have healthy overall development within the same timeframe as hearing children or sooner.
It has been widely documented that hearing children who learned and used sign vocabulary during infancy and toddler years are superior, than the other hearing children without exposure or use sign vocabulary, in overall developments especially communication skills and language development. Deaf infants should not be the exemption from using sign language.
We need to make a law mandatory that all parents,caretakers and gauardian parents to learn and us sign vocabulary with their infants by age of 3 months or at the onset of hearing loss.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I think EVERYONE should learn ASL. We are already almost to the point that we need to learn Spanish in order to communicate with illegal aliens, why can’t we give the same consideration to our own Deaf Community?
No one in my family is d/hh but we all sign. The kids started before they were 6 months old and still sign daily. If I am on the phone and they need something, they know to quietly touch me on the arm to get my attention and then use ASL to let me know what they need.
While working as a cashier it was painfull to watch a Deaf person go through another line and try to communicate with that cashier. Alot of companies now are requiring that their employees learn Spanish in order to talk to their customers…This is America - why should we be forced to learn a foreign language in order to communicate with non-Americans while we have a Deaf Community of Americans who get left out? After all, ASL is AMERICAN Sign Language, used by Deaf Americans - learning their language should be more of a priority than learning the language of aliens who come over here and choose not to learn English. ASL should be taught in every Elementary School, right along with math and English.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Hope you will have time to view on my video link: http://www.deafvideo.tv/watch/5282
Just wondering about US Dept of Education problems???
Thanks. Shawn
January 31st, 2008 at 10:08 am
I am not deaf but I am the mother of a 5 year old little girl who is. I need help dealing with the court system who just ordeed her to wear her cochlear implant. I feel as though this should be our personal choice. She does not like it at all and I’m fine with that. We are learning ASL and our doing great with it. Please help me help my daughter.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
This with the is my e-mail address damita1015@yahoo.com. I post the story about my 5 year old daughter being court ordered to wear the cochlear implant please contant me with advice on dealing with the courts. I really need some help
February 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Have you all obtained or attempted A.S.L. courses? It has grammar just such as english though. Bet you DROP your lower jaw on floor and ROLL your tongue out of yours. A.S.L. poetry…..From the 6th deaf generation…..