Deaf child hears for the first time

Let me think...:hmm: Who wanted me dead when I was a kid growing up deaf? I have no ****ing idea.

Are you saying deaf children are treated equally by hearing children? Are you also saying that discrimination of deaf by hearing people only happens in adulthood?

I guess I should ask: Do you think discrimination of deaf people even exist?
 
There are three possible things a doctor does.

Under CA law, a doctor is required to provide all informations (CI, speech therapy and ASL including a deaf school) to hearing parents of a deaf baby.

Number one - a doctor provides some (not all) informations. That's a violation of the law.

Number two - a doctor provides all informations but recommends CI and speech therapy only. That's a violation of the law.

Number three - a doctor provides all information but recommends that the parents do their "homework" to find what is the best interest for their deaf baby. That's not a violation of the law. Which means that the parents are responsible that they contact a deaf school or a deaf organization to find out more about deaf culture. If they didn't, that means they don't give a shit about deaf culture.

IMHO, the parents want their deaf child to be normal so that's why they choose CI and/or speech therapy.
Here's the problem. A doctor is a medical professional, not an expert in all things related to deaf babies and their futures. He should simply give the parents the physical facts (what kind of deafness the baby has) and then refer them to the appropriate agencies who can provide follow up. He should have present a representative from early intervention services who can present a complete package and answer questions from the parents. (Or at least make arrangements for them to meet as soon as possible.) Obviously, the parents will need more than one meeting before making any decisions. The first meeting should just be a reassurance that there are options, and give them a broad outline of those options. It's way too much information to cover in the initial meeting.

My following example is not related to deafness but still has some application.

When my son-in-law had a traumatic injury that required immediate amputation of his lower right leg, other than immediate surgical follow up, he had little contact with doctors after. In fact, he found the doctors to be of little help. Other than a post-surgery check-up, he had no more contact with the surgeon. What really helped him was immediate contact from the amputee support group. The representative, and subsequent meetings with the support group, provided a lot more real-life practical help, in all areas of life. They and rehab services were the best ways to recovery and success.

The application is that, doctors are best for doctoring. They can help with immediate medical needs (testing, clearing up ear infections or obstructions, healing any underlying problems). Early intervention professionals and parent support groups are probably a lot more helpful to the babies' parents, especially in the long run. In early intervention I would also include deaf community representatives.

Just my opinion.
 
Here's the problem. A doctor is a medical professional, not an expert in all things related to deaf babies and their futures. He should simply give the parents the physical facts (what kind of deafness the baby has) and then refer them to the appropriate agencies who can provide follow up. He should have present a representative from early intervention services who can present a complete package and answer questions from the parents. (Or at least make arrangements for them to meet as soon as possible.) Obviously, the parents will need more than one meeting before making any decisions. The first meeting should just be a reassurance that there are options, and give them a broad outline of those options. It's way too much information to cover in the initial meeting.

My following example is not related to deafness but still has some application.

When my son-in-law had a traumatic injury that required immediate amputation of his lower right leg, other than immediate surgical follow up, he had little contact with doctors after. In fact, he found the doctors to be of little help. Other than a post-surgery check-up, he had no more contact with the surgeon. What really helped him was immediate contact from the amputee support group. The representative, and subsequent meetings with the support group, provided a lot more real-life practical help, in all areas of life. They and rehab services were the best ways to recovery and success.

The application is that, doctors are best for doctoring. They can help with immediate medical needs (testing, clearing up ear infections or obstructions, healing any underlying problems). Early intervention professionals and parent support groups are probably a lot more helpful to the babies' parents, especially in the long run. In early intervention I would also include deaf community representatives.

Just my opinion.

Can the Dr not inform them of medical treatments? Refer them to a specialist?
 
Are you saying deaf children are treated equally by hearing children? Are you also saying that discrimination of deaf by hearing people only happens in adulthood?

I guess I should ask: Do you think discrimination of deaf people even exist?
Are you talking about bullying? No, the neighborhood kids didn't bully me at all. If you were going to ask about my school, I went to the school for the Deaf so there were no hearing students on campus.
 
LINK or SOURCE?? :shock:

I try to remember how many do i have enemy or enemies? :hmm:

I didn't quote from source, but I'll give you one.

EDIT: Here is a quote from the below source's finding: "deaf pupils were significantly more likely to be neglected by their peers and less likely to have a
friend in the classroom."

EDIT: You might have to google it as I can't seem to past the correct link, use the text:

http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/ndcs/paper/nunespretzlikandolsson_**********.pdf

Deaf children's social relationships in mainstream schools ...


 
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Here's the problem. A doctor is a medical professional, not an expert in all things related to deaf babies and their futures. He should simply give the parents the physical facts (what kind of deafness the baby has) and then refer them to the appropriate agencies who can provide follow up. He should have present a representative from early intervention services who can present a complete package and answer questions from the parents. (Or at least make arrangements for them to meet as soon as possible.) Obviously, the parents will need more than one meeting before making any decisions. The first meeting should just be a reassurance that there are options, and give them a broad outline of those options. It's way too much information to cover in the initial meeting.
That's right. However, a doctor or audiologist should have all pamphlets available for the parents to read at home so they can contact people at the phone numbers listed in the pamphlets for more info regarding CI, speech therapy, ASL (deaf school) and/or other options.
 
Are you talking about bullying? No, the neighborhood kids didn't bully me at all. If you were going to ask about my school, I went to the school for the Deaf so there were no hearing students on campus.

I'm glad you didn't have those experiences.
 
That's right. However, a doctor or audiologist should have all pamphlets available for the parents to read at home so they can contact people at the phone numbers listed in the pamphlets for more info regarding CI, speech therapy, ASL (deaf school) and/or other options.

What progress is being made toward this actually happening regularly?
 
I didn't quote from source, but I'll give you one.

EDIT: You might have to google it as I can't seem to past the correct link, use the text:

http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/ndcs/paper/nunespretzlikandolsson_**********.pdf

Deaf children's social relationships in mainstream schools ...
I believe that some of the ADers here went to mainstream schools and a few of them were not happy there. A few of them were bullied. Because they are deaf? Oh, well, what about other hearing students at the same schools? None of them were bullied?
 
Can the Dr not inform them of medical treatments? Refer them to a specialist?
Yes, if they have ear infections, obstructions, or other physical problems that effect their hearing. I presume the doctor that was present at the birth was a general pediatrician, so that doctor should indeed refer the parents to a pediatric ENT for related problems, if necessary.
 
I'm glad you didn't have those experiences.

I have never been experienced being bully by hearing kids. I went to Deaf school. I was on the hearing softball teams for 10 years. They didn't bully me at all. They notice that my voice is so different. They still found a way to talk to me. I am the one who wasnt interested in making friends with them. I have too many friends (all of them are Deaf) at my youth age.

I believe it is all about personality and how to approach people with my attitude. :dunno2:
 
I believe that some of the ADers here went to mainstream schools and a few of them were not happy there. A few of them were bullied. Because they are deaf? Oh, well, what about other hearing students at the same schools? None of them were bullied?


My opinion, everyone makes fun of everyone with whatever they have, such as personality or appearances. :(
 
Wow...15 pages. <.< All I can say is congrats to the kid and wishing the best of his future.
 
So it looks like the best thing for us to do would be to put together packets containing information from a variety of resources and give them to the hospitals and Drs offices in our local areas. That way we can be assured that parents receive information that will help them fairly assess the situation. How many of you are willing to do this in your city today?
 
I think a great idea would be automatic referral to the School for the Deaf for parents of newly identified Dhh kids.
 
I think a great idea would be automatic referral to the School for the Deaf for parents of newly identified Dhh kids.

That's a horrible idea if the goal is to give parents unbiased information for making an educated decision. That is the same as someone from the other side saying that parents should be referred to AG Bell. The best approach obviously is to give parents information on all of their choices and let them decide what is best for their kids.
 
I know I'm not a child but when I woke up in the hospital completely deaf there was no help offered to me. No services, websites, support groups etc. I think a phamplet with different types of services and information would have helped me and my family a whole lot.
 
The best approach obviously is to give parents information on all of their choices and let them decide what is best for their kids.

I fully agree with this. I also don't think that it has to be so "sided". People believe that they can't have their child obtain a CI AND learn ASL. NOT TRUE!
 
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