Research shows that early
intervention and parental involvement can enable Deaf children to gain
cognitive information and educational levels at or near the level of their
hearing peers. Research and observation also indicate that the lack of early
intervention and family involvement will have the opposite affect. In the
past, most Deaf students graduated High School with a first to third grade
reading level. Rather than being discouraged by the facts of the past, let’s
be encouraged with the hope of the future. More and more states are passing
laws requiring the mandatory testing of newborns for hearing loss, making
early intervention and family involvement possible. Families can make a total
difference for their Deaf child and do what is necessary to help them reach
their full potential. That is the reason for our sign language books and video
tapes, to give parents another tool to accomplish just that. Other helpful
resources (catalogs, magazines and websites) can be found on our links page.
It is not meant to be an exhaustive list, just a place to start equipping
yourself for this task.
“Parents are the single most critical factor in the education and future
of their children.”
This quote was taken from a pamphlet from
Parent Links, a
statewide network of parents in California supporting families of infants who
have a hearing loss. It can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. Such
organizations exist in many states. Feel free to contact them for support,
information and the names of other parents in your area. Remember, YOU ARE NOT
ALONE!
Another helpful resource is: Deaf Education: A Parent's Guide
See this article video.