Originally Posted by jillio

You have obviously made the correct decisions for your children to date. They are fluent in ASL.

School administration has no business pushing you to implant your children. They have neither the expertise in these matters, nor are they legally permitted to determine your child's mode of communcation. This makes me very angry. The school district is obviously functioning on the misconception that the CI will allow your children to be mainstreamed with minimal supprt services, thus saving the school district money. I find this to be objectionable to put it mildly. Tell the school district that the decision to implant or not implant is yours alone, and if and when you make that decision, you will let them know. The next time they bring it up, ask them what university they received their medical or audiological degree from. Meanwhile, report this district to your state board of education.

I can share with you my experience. I decided to raise my son in a bilingual/bicultural atmosphere, and he has been educated, for the most part, in a deaf school. We had some very unsatisfactory experiences with the mainstream placement. My son is now 21, attends a hearing college, and is quite successful without an implant. As an adult, he sees absolutely no need to have one as he does not feel his quality of life would, in any way, be improved.

Do not let the school system intimidate you. You are your child's best advocate.