GrendelQ

Barely Started and Already Left Behind: A Descriptive Analysis of the Mathematics Ability Demonstrated by Young Deaf Children

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Deafness

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Lau2046

Having a good lawyer helps too....

Reba

I'm not an "educator" nor do I have personal experience with math learning disabilities. Just making a point of observation from years of interpreting mainstream math classes of various grade levels.

In my opinion, just putting a deaf student into a mainstream math class with an interpreter or transcriptionist is not sufficient. Different, specialized classroom techniques/styles need to be used. At the very least, one-on-one tutoring should be available. More visual aids, board work, and custom computerized self-instruction should be utilized. Pre-class evaluations for all students should be done, and then group them by math aptitudes (socially unacceptable, I'm sure.) A teacher standing up blah-blahing about math concepts isn't enough.

Just my opinion.

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naisho

I agree with those kind of services, and unfortunately some of us students had to do all this on my own. Mainstream generally (in the past) didn't provide any kind of extra services and the deaf students have no clue.

I suspect there's similar students who were in mine or Badger's case, became statistically misrepresented as a poor math student with a 'learning disability' due to poor performance in class because of not being able to understand/hear the mode of teaching, which was aural in mainstream's case.
I knew myself in that I didn't have any kind of deafness-induced 'mental learning disability' when I had later passed Multivariable Calculus on my own.

Some courses are the same ones hearing students struggle on for different reasons, I recall there were some perfectly otherwise normal hearing students in my classes who would never be able to pass basic Algebra or Geometry and their hearing wasn't the cause of it.

AlleyCat

Absolutely. Poor educational school placement for the deaf and not providing adequate services will help them fail (or not master) ANY subject, not just math. Deafness in itself (and only in itself, meaning not including those who have other learning disabilities in addition to deafness) is not the cause of poor math skills.

saywhatkid

Prejudge much? Glass half empty?

GrendelQ

It's not pessimistic to examine and take action on the differences in how deaf kids learn.

Typically you have to prove a need for specialized services and show that there's a difference in how deaf children learn vs. hearing children to get the appropriate placement or educational resources and accommodations.

If deaf and hearing children were to access instruction in math and learn in the same way ... well, you wouldn't have much of a basis for arguing for the kind of resources and approach that Reba (and most of the researchers examining deaf children and math) recommend. No need for deaf ed.

If I had to guess -- knowing that Csign's kid is signing deaf and accesses instruction via ASL and SEE -- I'd think she's probably using such research to make a case for her son's resources and / or specialized deaf ed., either placement in a DHH program or itinerant TOD. That, and to provide appropriate instruction targeted at a brilliant little deaf learner in our home, as well as at home is why I happened to have that research on hand -- for the same purpose.

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Jiro

It's not the pessimism. It's silliness to even think deafness may have played a role in it. just as silly as Tuskegee Study.

Is it learning disability? Does he simply suck in math like everybody else? Is math teacher crappy? Is he not getting adequate service or is his service subpar? Does he need extra help in math?

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CSign

No. I've read research in the past, and it's established that there are distinct differences in how deaf children learn compared to hearing children. There is also a relationship to the lower scores and challenges also being related to the language portion of math.

I'm interested in exploring the matter further in how deaf children most effectively learn math, and why the differences are there/best ways to address that.

I'm a glass half full type of gal

CSign

Grendel- thank you for posting those studies. I intend to explore them further when I have more time.

Jiro

*shrug*

I've never had any accommodation since 9th grade and my math level was usually 2 grades ahead of most of my peers. I think it's best to focus on one's ability rather than deaf aspect.

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kokonut

I've tutored both deaf and hearing students in college (Gallaudet and Univ. of Idaho) on math, physics and statistics though never really got to see the difficulties the younger kids had to contend with. Although in college deaf students appear to be stumped more on the language part of the math questions compared to college hearing students which they appear to have an easier time with it. I think it is important to engage with them as much as possible and make it fun and challenging. Each kid is different. Some like doing math, others are simply terrible at it. Can't force 'em.

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

deafdyke

Lau, that is just ONE hearing loss syndrome connected to dhh....and it's also obsolete as a cause of deafness especially now.

coolgirlspyer90

I have had difficulty with math since i was a kid. And High school became a little bit tougher. Last year, I managed to keep up a C in math. In the first two years in high school, i was placed in a small math class with maybe 10 students , My math class was called Essentials 9 math, which means it has a two teachers available to help you out, and they took things very slow. I had a lot of catching up to do with math, and honestly, I still do! I'm placed in a easy-slow math class in college for next year. I'm hoping i will do a good job, Because math is one of my weakest subjects. Language, I could do good on. I got an A in english for the past 4 years in high school, including elementary and middle school. Math is the only thing that is a subject i really need to work on. Same with science too. I would study for a test for hours, and even before the test and i still would get a bad grade on it, just because i don't understand it. Last year, my math teacher had allowed our class to come in the morning before school to correct any wrong answers on our test to boost up our grade. I have done that ALOT. and it made me have a good solid C on my report card.

KristinaB

I know there are about 7 people in my Deaf Club who went to residential schools ranging the 60's, 70's and 80's. Most were at FSDB, but some are from other states. What's my reason for bringing this up? Well, they are all CPA's.

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deafdyke

were they mainstreamed and oral? That makes a HUGE difference....but you can't explorate that to all deaf kids.