authentic

If I was interpreter, I would just address to his teacher that he is not paying attention to me, and it is YOUR job to follow up with him to make sure he follow through with the class thru me (interpreter). If he is behind with the education, not my problem at least I warned his teacher.

I'm curious does interpreter get involved with his IEP plan or no?

__________________

Deafness

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

FireTiger

Are you allowed to ask the kid?

Probably not.

When I tutor and a kid does that (stops paying attention in the middle of a sentence) I ask why. You'd be surprised by the answers. Also sometimes they are not aware they are doing it.

Regardless if you can ask him you might be able to address the problem better.

Anij

Here's my take on this, based on my University experience with 'terps (and conversations with my 'terps about situations just like this)

If you are hired as an interpreter (not a TA & interpreter) then regardless of what the student does, just keep interpreting 100% correctly, even if the kid actaully falls asleep!

You almost certainly aren't privy to the students actual audiogram, or any information other than that the student gets an interpreter for classes. The student may well have quite a bit of residual hearing, and may have fluctuating hearing loss which allows them to (depending on the situation/day etc) follow along aurally to a certain degree - you are his/her "back up" to make sure they get everything.

They may also not have had an interpreter before, or had a lousy one ... so it may well be that it just takes a while for the student to get used to having a proper interpreter who they then learn they actually can rely on. Unfortunately I know of too many situations where the "interpreter" was basically a TA that had taken ASL 203 (ie far from fluent in ASL let alone actual interpreting).

When I take university courses, I always request an interpreter (or team) and a notetaker, depending on the day, class size, content etc I many rely entirely on the interpreters to access what's happening in the class, or be able to follow quite well listening (residual hearing) and "checking" what I hear with my 'Terp Team.

I'm always very open with my interpreters, I explain the type of Hoh/Deaf I am (ie that I'm totally deaf on my right, have mild/mod flux HL on the left and also have APD) - I'm not required to tell ANYONE that, but I personally prefer to explain upfront that sometimes I'll be relying 100% on them but other times I might be able to follow fairly well - so if I look away or seem not to be paying attention, it's not me being rude.

One other thing that I'm sure you're aware of - many of us Hoh/Deaf, especially signers have excellent peripheral vision. This means that even if your client isn't looking right at you, they may still very much be following what you are saying. I have a visual range that is basically 180degrees - I can follow someone signing who is 80degrees off centre quite easily, especially for short amounts of time, like when I'm getting things ready for class etc.

Many of my interpreters have told me of classes where they've interpreted for a student who's so asleep that they're snoring - as professionals they've been hired to interpret the class, regardless if anyone is paying attention or not (and honestly, you never know if there's another person in that class who's also benefiting from your interpreting, even if they aren't the official "client".

If you aren't hired as a TA or other "behaviour intervention" role, then you interpret regardless of what is happening. You could mention to the teacher that you are there solely to interpret the content of the class and that you are not permitted to comment on or handle any behavioural issues regarding your client - if the teacher has an issue with how that student is behaving they need to handle it directly with the student (which you will interpret for them.).

__________________
Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

Reba

Students sleeping, snoring so loud as to drown out the instructor's voice, slumping over, eyes rolling up until just the whites show, drooling . . . oh yes.

I just keep interpreting as though I don't notice.

Sometimes I do have to glance away . . . those eyeballs rolling in the sockets get to me.

I have seen other terps poke or lightly kick sleeping clients. I don't recommend that. It's not only unprofessional, it could be dangerous. Some day a person startled awake might just come to swinging!

Reba

The only thing the terp can ask would have to be related to the interpreting process. For example, when arranging the seating and lighting, the terp could ask the client, "Can you see me clearly?"


Tutoring and interpreting are two different situations, and come under different guidelines.

C.C.Sinned

interpret in your underwear, that will keep the kids attention

kokonut

One time at George Washington University in an engineering class of about perhaps 15 students we had another deaf student who brought his interpreter with him. I always sit in the front. The professor spoke well and so I listened without any problems but from time to time I looked at the interpreter...and found myself distracted...realized this I had to totally ignore the interpreter so I can re-focus on the professor. I was much better off with the professor speaking. The interpreter wasn't mine and I had no need for one but the other deaf student did.

__________________
Before AD.

After AD.

"Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
-Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice


"... turns out they are telling the truth."

Reba

I want to clear up a common misconception.

Students don't bring their interpreters with them. Students and terps live totally independent of each other.

It might seem that they arrive together, especially if they're both coming from another class at the same time. Also, adult students and terps can develop friendships over time. However, the student and the terp aren't joined at the hip, and the terp works for the college, not the student.

Did you know that a terp can be fired for giving the student a ride in the car to or from class? Yes, it happens.

The Deaf student no more brings the terp to class than the hearing students bring the instructor.

People have asked me if I'm related to the student, or they say that I'm being such a nice friend to "help" him. I gently but firmly straighten out their misconceptions.

Anij

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

Thanks Reba !!!

I don't know how many times I got asked how long me and the 'terp had been friends (um, I just met them in the lobby 2mins ago!).

Or something like "it so nice that you have a friend to come help you out" - huh? Again, not my "friend", they're hired professionals, and this prof is SLI (doesn't Sign aka sign language impaired), the interpreters helping them as much as me).

Urgh

__________________
Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

kokonut

It was his same interpreter throughout the day at his classes. I wasn't trying to infer anything else.

__________________
Before AD.

After AD.

"Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
-Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice


"... turns out they are telling the truth."

kellycat

In the district where I teach the interpreters are school employees, but if we have several out sick we hire outside, freelance people. The interpreter who is in my room during one period used to work in an elementary school, and I get the impression she did more than just convey language. She has offered to help pass out papers during downtime. I'm with other posters saying you shouldn't do anything but sign and voice. It s up to the teacher to notice the kid isn't doing the work.

I have a friend who was hired to interpret some really hard class, like quantum physics or something. A class that she REALLY had to work hard to even have a clue what the professor meant so it could be interpreted well. One day, the client fell asleep. She couldn't just stop interpreting, but didn't want to struggle to make the class understandable for the dead asleep client. So she started signing the story of the Three Little Pigs until he opened his eyes.

Probably not following professional codes, but funny anyhow.

Jiro

that's just dang funny and I think it's ok for her to sign piggie story while the client was sleeping because I guess she was trying to stay awake too!

__________________
- Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

Nanelle

I can't speak for the interpreter aspect, but as for him not co-operating, I wouldn't take it personally. I have a quite a few friends that are 4th grade teachers, and they all say exactly the same thing- the kids get distracted and don't pay attention. It's nothing you can/can't do, they're just 4th graders

overthepond

Having had interepreters most of my college years up until now. when i first went to college I had an interepreter who was mothering me, making sure i go to lessons on time etc, I told my Local Education Authority, she told her that she's there as my ears nothing else, I make my own mistakes, teacher tell me off for not doing my prep, work etc or being late.

Leave the other stuff to the teacher but be there as his ears, interpret away whether he's listening or not. He's a kid and a boy afterall.

VamPyroX

Just report the issue to your supervisor and continue to interpret for him unless your supervisor says otherwise.

__________________
Check out my city... CLICK HERE!
(If you've already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

Reba

There is really nothing to report to a supervisor. The teacher is in charge of the classroom. To make such a report to anyone senior to the teacher, such as a principal, would be going over the teacher's head and implying that the teacher couldn't control the students. That would not be good.

In all the schools in which I've worked, I've never met anyone who would be considered a terp supervisor.

CrazyPaul

If a school hires you as a full-time ASL terp for deaf students there, then who is your boss?

Reba

It depends on how each school district sets it up.

In our area, it's usually a district coordinator. After being hired and given an assignment, there really isn't much regular contact with that person. The school principals and their staffs take care of the daily administrative functions like sick leave use, classroom scheduling, etc. Sometimes if there's a Deaf Ed teacher on staff, that person coordinates with the terps. Within the classroom, the teacher is in charge with the exception of how the terp carries out her duties.

For the most part, terps are on their own. At least from what I've seen.

At the college level, I get my assignments from the Disabilities Office, and turn in my invoices to them. That's pretty much my only contact with them. I introduce myself to the instructors, work out a few logistics with them, and follow the classroom rules that they have. That's it. They do their thing, and I do mine.

Anij

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

FWIW - that matches what I've seen and heard up here in Canada as well.

If an interpreter is hired to be strictly an interpreter then they do not get involved in "classroom & behaviour issues". If the person "interpreting is actually an 'educational assistant who signs' (different than a terp in function and qualifications) then that's a completely different senerio.

__________________
Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

rolling7

Here in America, that would not be premitted/acceptable under ADA unless the teaching/educational assistance is also a certified interpreter.

Foxrac

My biggest concern is some students may end up to blame on interpreters because they failed the class due to lacks of attention. It is really hurting the reputation with interpreters.

__________________


In Moto We Trust

Anij

Which is exactly why the interpreter needs to keep on interpreting regardless of the attention or inattention of the student.

If the interpreter is concerned about the students comprehension, they CAN ask the student if the interpreting style meets their needs ie does the student want more "PSE/CASE" interpreting style or "strong ASL" etc.

My interpreters and I always discussed interpreting strategy for various classes (some I want a more CASE/PSE style because of the content, other classes I prefer "proper ASL") - this makes sure that I'm getting what I need in terms of content and delivery for each class.

__________________
Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

Grayma

This has been an eye-opener for me. I would have thought that with a minor child, so young, there would be some communication with the parents. I understand why the interpreter wouldn't need to communicate with anybody but the client with a student over 18, but I'm surprised there's not more communication with parents for younger children.

What if the parents of, say, a ten year old child *asked* to meet with the terp and wanted to know about their child's attention level?

Anij

They'd meet with the teacher - because it's the teacher who's in charge of making sure the students are paying attention etc.

The parents could sit in on a class and observe the interpreter working, etc. but it's is NOT the interpreters job to assess the student, correct behaviour etc. That is the job of the teacher. Period.

If the student has other needs requiring a Educational Assistant, or Teacher's Assistant then there would either be BOTH an EA and interpreter present for that child (EA handles behaviour, making sure work is getting done, that the student is following the teacher & interpreter etc) or they would possibly be assigned a special EA who is also a certified interpreter (who'd be making significantly more money because they're doing 2 jobs).

Practically it doesn't work to have a single person functioning as an EA and 'terp ... however unfortunately many schools try to do this and more often than not it's a mess.

In Canada (and I know it happens in the USA too - ADA or not) there are situations were a student has additional behavioural &/or cognitive delays - instead of hiring an EA and a Terp, many schools state that because of the cognitive delays (significant enough that the student isn't actually doing the same work as the class) the student doesn't "need" or "meet criteria" for a proper certified interpreter - so instead they are assigned a "Signing EA" ... someone who is an EA, but is NOT a certified interpreter and sometimes isn't even fluent in ASL

The reason they are able to do this is because the student is NOT actaully taking instruction from the teacher, and isn't actively involved in class discussions etc, but rather is following a customized modified curriculum managed by the EA. It's a loophole - and it needs to be closed. Unfortunately many schools do not disclose that their student has the legal right to a proper interpreter - they offer and have funding for a "Signing EA" and that's what is proposed to the parents (in a manner implying that it is the only option, as well as the "best option").

It makes me angry to know that there are children sitting in classrooms struggling to learn not only because they have various cognitive issues to manage but because the person teaching them (the Signing EA) may or may not even be able to properly communicate in their language (ASL).

ADA is a great start, but until people are fully educated about their rights, the rights of their children, their students and co-workers there will be people who are "fall through the cracks" due to various loopholes.

__________________
Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD
English & ASL ...PAH!!


Ignorance is NOT Bliss

SneakerNet

Booktard, simple solution for you. When terping, if you noticed student turn his/her head away and not paying attention and when student turned head back at you, you just fake smile and laugh a little and student asked you what? What funny? Just say it back to him.."Sorry train is gone, nyeh neyh neyh"

(ok ok..I know this not going to happen)

__________________
No trees were harmed in the sending of this email; however, many electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Arthaey

Do Deaf students (or their parents) ever do the hiring themselves, so that there is more of a relationship and continuity?

Glenn

Whose responsibility is it to pay attention to the interpreter?

The interpreter is doing her/his job.

The student is not paying attention.

Simple enough to figure out.

Glenn

Never heard of that.

The school pays for interpreters, not the parents or the student. So it is the school's responsibility to hire interpreters.

Arthaey

Would the parents/student be allowed to? If they had the money, and didn't like the school-provided interpreter (for whatever reason)? Or are there rules/laws against supplying your own interpreter and declining the school-provided one?

Reba

No, not in a public state school.