damienmommy

My son will be 3 years old this summer, he's in head school at public school but with all deaf 2 years old kids in one classroom every Wednesday.

All of them kids don't sign language, except only my son does. Most of them wear CI and some of them know how to speak but not signs. 2 of them know signs but won't signs. Anyway, Sometimes it hurt me to see that my son have nobody kids to communication with as his age. He kept talk to adult like teacher, assist, my interpreter, and me. Because we can understand him, while kids don't understand him by signs language.

I think that public school has a best education for kindergarten to 4th grade. I want a good education for my son, but same time, I want son to have friends, communication with kids, social, not feel left out or alone. Should I put him in deaf school in kindergarten or public school?

Just a question for you all, which public school or deaf school would you put your deaf kid in? The who is same as my son who know a lot of signs language without oral and without CI. He wearing a hearing aids barely. What would u do?

I am deaf, I don't like hearing aids so didn't wear them. I went to public school till 5th grade. I do have friends, and never felt left out, because so many deaf kids know sign language, we social a lot. Then I joined deaf school in 7th grade to senior and graduated there. I liked it there too. But right now, this year, public school in head school focus on oral mostly. Years does changing.

Deafness

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damienmommy

I means public school has a better education, and deaf school has a better social. Which more important?

faire_jour

What is the offical "philosophy" of the school? Is it TC or just oral?

It doesn't sound like this is a good enviroment for him. How would he communicate with the other kids? You don't want him in a place where no one understands him!

Where do you live? Is there a state school for the Deaf nearby?

Cheri

She said "oral" at the bottom of her first original post.

damienmommy--I think as if you want for your son to continuing with sign language, it's best to put him in a program where they allow the use of sign language in the classroom.

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damienmommy

I live in Salem, Oregon, I live near Deaf school but that deaf school don't have preschool or head school. Only kindergarten to senior. I am not sure what is TC..and no head school is not for oral. Teacher did use signs all the time to kids, and made kids to say please in sign when they wanted snack foods. Just kids' parents wanted kids to have CI, so they learned oral etc. Now parents is trying to learn signs language, but some of kids don't want to signs, they rather use oral better.

damienmommy

In his classroom is allow sign language, the teacher kept signs all the times, read the book and signs to kids. She gave papers to parents for learn how to signs every Wednesday. But those kids don't want to signs. Prefer oral. So means, if they grew up and become kindergarten students, they might ignore signs and keep oral..Left my son out. The years is changing. Because there used to have a lot deaf kids know signs in that SAME exactly where my son go to school. But now this year, they got better techinally for CI..mostly CI is successful on kids, so they focus on oral mostly. It's not about school. School is still the same, for use signs language. But kids don't want to signs.

faire_jour

TC would probably mean that they sign and speak at the same time.

I would just be concerned that my child would be left out if all the kids speak but him. If it was my child, I don't think I would leave them in a program in which half the kids can't understand him.

Is this through the school for the Deaf or your local district.

Cheri

What program is this? Do you have any idea? or not? if not then ask your son's teacher this Wednesday when you take your son to school, write it down and come back to AllDeaf and tell us what program this is okay?

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God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow and sun without rain, But God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.

damienmommy

It's name "focus group"..then this fall, he will be in preschool, which would be next to his classroom. in same building. Those kids who is 2 years old, become 3 years old, move to other classroom..

There used to have kids who know sign language, because before CI wasn't success..Most of them signs, in that program where my son go right now..But now CI got better, so they focus on oral..I never seen teacher try to teach kids how to oral, I only see teacher try to teach kids the signs. It's right program for my son..

damienmommy

Ohhh, then it's TC..I guess..but not oral. Because teacher and assist use signs all the times, and try teach kids signs..they don't teach kids oral.

damienmommy

Thanks for your answer or opinion. I was just curious which people would think of better education or social/friends around more important to their kid.

I think deaf school probably be better for my son. I was afraid if he would be isolated as grew up till out of world, and would have hard to find friends or social if he grew up in public school without friends.

Frisky Feline

That is pretty tough to make decision for a child's best interest in education. I am surprised that in your local deaf school didn't provide for preschool or any special program. That is real sad. They only focus on the new fad program such as Kids with CI more than regular deaf kids. That is something what states dont want to pay good program for deaf program.
First of all, i do agree that every schools have changes big time. It seems to me that you may need to visit deaf school and observe how deaf kids are doing there. what if some of kids with ci in deaf school choose not to sign too. i may be wrong about it but its wise to check the deaf school. i understand that your kid is still young for deaf school right? so it seems to me that you put your kid in public school that offers program for age 3. Not what Deaf school have it for your kid who is 3 years old, right? i want to make sure that i dont misunderstand you.

i understand that you would like to see deaf kid to have a good social skill with other kids but other kids with ci prefers speaking than signing. It seems that way kids with ci are more comfortable with speaking than signing. I have seen a few deaf kids with ci prefer speaking. Since you did check with deaf school that have no program for age 3 kids. Your kid needs to stay in public school while you can check deaf school more to make sure if deaf school has good program or not until your kid hits 5 years old. Then you can decide from there to allow your kid to stay in public school or get him out of public and put him in deaf school.

i know several deaf friends of mine that they found out their kids are deaf. They did move to other states to find better deaf schools for their deaf kids. But trust me that almost every schools either public of deaf school that kids have CI already. It's important for you to understand any schools better before you send your kid to school. I agree that social skills are important for deaf kids to express their feeling, opinion and communicate skills. But in your local school where your kid goes that you dont like. have you talk to teachers to see if the other parents who have kids who sign only like your kids, and to have play date.

damienmommy

I know what deaf school look like. I been there in 7th grade to senior, graduated there. I was teacher's assist in the mornings as volunteer, in kindergarten class last year. All of them kids use signs. Since this deaf school isn't allow oral only. Must use the sign all the way, they can speak oral too but need use the sign same time. When some kid speak oral, teacher keep told kid to use signs too, again again. And that teacher is deaf, she work in kindergarten. She don't speak. So when my son become kindergarten, he will be in that teacher class. If kids with ci - oral only join that class, deaf teacher would make kids to use signs..cuz she wouldn't understand kids who use speak without signs.

In high school, only 2 teacher is hearing out of about 12 teachers. So like 10 of them is deaf. In deaf school. That's why I am not worry about social for my son in that deaf school.

I saw a sign somewhere at deaf school said Requires to use ASL on OSD's campus. Something like that.

Deaf school don't have any for 3 years old. Only start with Kindergarten and up. There have deaf program for 2 years old to 4 years old. That's where my son is attended to.

Frisky Feline

Oh that's good you have been visiting at deaf school. Guess you have to wait three more years to go for your kid to go to deaf school?

did you ask deaf school why they did not have any program for the infant to 5 years old? in my old school have the program for it. i am surprised that in your local town that does not offer any deaf program before age 5.

damienmommy

They can't afford it, I think. But have deaf program, at public school. Only one deaf program in one city. All kids get together in one deaf program that where my son's class is, so when they into kindergarten, they have 3 choices, go to deaf school, or go to public school with deaf program, or go to school nearby their house (they would be only one deaf in that school with a interpreter, no deaf program.).

Frisky Feline

That's what i think is that they feel that it is not benefical to them and focus on any kids who can speak or with ci that they offer more program than deaf kids. i know that. so It seems to me that you would place your kid into the deaf school when he turns 5 years old.
Does your kid like one kid from his class? if he does, meet the other parents to see if they want their kid to play with you outside of school. It will help your kid to feel comfortable to socialize with any kids at his age. Or any one of your friend who have deaf kids to have a play date. that is the only way for your kid to have some expereince of socializing with kids for now.

damienmommy

If they make a new deaf program for oral only..then my son would be only one alone in deaf program..nobody will be there. All kids would go to new deaf program for oral only. So that's why they keep one deaf program for all kids together..cuz we only have 6 kids, now 7 kids, new boy just joined, he was just turned 2 years old. His mom knows some signs, more than all of parents in class. That kid don't have CI. Just a hearing aids. I guess he will use signs but soon my son will go to preschool, he won't have a new boy with him. Sad.

My son like all of kids. He always help them, trying to talk to them, trying to play with them, but they didn't pay attention to him. One of them hurt him, won't share the toy with him, slapped his hands hard. So boy got timeout by his mom. It's so sad! But it's normal for his age.

At my sister softball games, my son was trying to play with all hearing kids. They didn't pay attention to him. One stranger boy look like 6 years old, he keep stared at my son, because son is different. Then he was hit my son with the tree stick. My son laughed hard, he thought boy was playing beat him up. Boy keep doing it, and kick the dirt on my son. My son keep laughing and thought it was funny. It's sad that he didn't know that boy was making fun of him or trying to hurt him. My mom went and yelled at boy. Boy finally stopped and leave my son alone.

Cheri

I don't think you understand my question Hun, I'm asking what type of program as is he in-- Total Communication? (signs, speaking, lip reading, finger-spelling), Oral (no signs, speaking only) You kept saying "oral public school" But, I don't think you're understanding what program that your son is in since you're saying the teacher does sign, but the kids does not. I believe it's a Total Communication program because in a Total Communication program, that program uses both seeing and hearing to communicate. That is why the kids who have cochlear implants are using their listening skills to hear the teacher and not watching the teacher's signs. Although not all deaf kids use ASL. Everyone is different and let them do what they feel is best for them to work with. I can understand your point of view that you would rather to have your son in a classroom with students that knows signs and to use signs to be able to communicate with your son.

If there is no other option for your son since you said that deaf schools only runs up from K to 12, then I don't know what else to tell you.

It doesn't matter if you want your child to attends a deaf school or mainstream (public) school, The important thing is whatever works best for your child, is where you need to go.

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God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow and sun without rain, But God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.

Lighthouse77

I am severe hard of hearing and never learn ASL. Went to mainstreamed public school from Preschool - 12th except there was no other deaf people like me. It didn't help me learn as much. The whole point of schooling is to learn, expecially other subjects. It would be a waste of her time trying to lipread in public school. Save that for speech therapy.

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Lissa

If I was mom of a deaf child, I would personally choose a deaf school so my child would grow up with children like them and be able to communicate in either sign or spoken, whichever way they wanted to. Also small class sizes and 1-1 teaching

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damienmommy

I just asked my mom what name of program is that? She said focus group..same thing what I said. She said that class is for signs and speak both either. But I only see teacher keep trying to teach kids signs. I never seen them try to teach kids how to speak.

damienmommy

Thanks for ur answer.

deafdyke

DamienMommy, are there any other Deaf programs in your city?
Personally for the early grades I would do a split placement.....you know....a couple of days at the Deaf School and then a couple of days at public so that he can find his niche.

deafdyke

Is the focus group not a real preschool or more of a "playgroup" or Head Start type program?

Bebonang

Damienmommy, I have a question for you. Is this specific public school with Total Communication or Deaf program the only school for your son who is already now three years old? If it is, then you will have to wait until he goes into a Deaf school with the Deaf program like you have been in school yourself. I am surprise that children with a CI refuse to sign in the special education classroom and also socialize with each other in signs. That is really sad. If you can find another school with a Deaf program and they all sign, then you will be relieve to have your son be among Deaf kids who can sign with you. I understand what you are saying that there is a lack of Deaf education for younger kids like preschool to kindergarten. I had trouble understanding my Deaf friends and the hearing students plus the hearing teachers in a mainstream schools without any sign language and no interpreters. That is why I wish to be in a Deaf school with the sign language so that it is easy to communicate with them and also to understand what is going on in the classrooms. I think the parents of the CI children have encouraged them to use speech and told them not to sign at all. Yes, it does look like there were changes in the CI children not to sign. I am truly sorry that this happen to your son being left out in his classroom.

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damienmommy

No, this one is deaf program. Just itself kids changing, not program. Deaf program been always the same. Few years ago, some kids go to that deaf program, all of them know signs, maybe 1 of them wear CI with oral only. But now this year, there have a better CI, more success on kids. Now kids focus on oral, don't want to signs. But it's not about deaf program. Just kids' parents getting more into CI stuff.

Now more work for teacher, for teach kids to signs, more harder than before. My friend who is about 23 years old, his mom is teacher for preschool. I told him that more kids wear ci and oral only now..None of them use signs, cuz they don't want to. Only my son..then he said "oh man, now there gonna be a lot more harder work for my mom to teach kids how to signs."...I was like yeah.

That deaf program focus on signs mostly.

damienmommy

It's head start deaf program. Like, they teach kids how to signs say please, and signs for song, just getting kids ready for preschool..Kids need learn how to clean when the light off on off, teacher said TIME FOR CLEAN.. so kids learn how to clean, put toys away etc..Learn to sit on the floor by circle and have teacher read a book to them, teach kids how to pay attention to teacher and learn to wait for their turn for put something paper on the wall etc and..Sit by table for snack time..learn to tell teacher "I want apple please" in signs, and stuff..Just getting ready for preschool. Right now, parents are with kids in that school..for 2 years old..then preschool, without parents. So kids would know what to do without teacher show them each kids..more easier for teacher.

damienmommy

Finally, you got my point. Thanks for understand me. Yea but kids wear ci, they still call kids as deaf..so they are deaf, and go to deaf program. They can't make separate for 2 programs, 1 for kids-wear ci and other 1 for deaf with ASL only. Impossible. If that happen, then my son will be only one alone in classroom. Nobody kids would be there. I don't know anybody kids who use signs, in this city.

By the way, those kids with CI, their parents is trying to learn signs, they do want to teach kids signs, but hard for kids, they ignored signs and keep speak. I saw some parents telling kids to say please, or sorry. Kids keep speak then parents try to show the signs, then kids finally use signs in lazy way for "please" or "sorry"..very short one..not clear. Kids didn't motive for signs. I am not blame on kids for that.

deafdyke

Well you know....it's still early. MANY of them still have significent language delays otherwise they wouldn't be in the program.
It's possible that some of the kids will end up at a deaf program.
Not all trained oral dhh kids will stay that way.
You know..........it's possible that some of the parents really want to learn ASL, but they don't have the resources to pick it up. You could point out to them that with ASL their kids can function both with and without CIs. Not to mention that it's a great social tool. Very few oral dhh folks are adapt socially in the hearing world. Social issues tend to be a perhenional among oral deaf kids.
Some of the kids may be thinking " I don't need ASL." Or they might be picking up from their parents that ASL is "special needs" and that it's better to hear and talk. I know many parents have that attitude.
I was exposed to ASL as a little kid (our next door neighbor was Deaf) but I remember thinking that I didn't "need" ASL.
You know............I've got an awesome idea. Maybe a good idea might be to start a playgroup for dhh kids. That might fill in the cracks til your son can go to kindy at the deaf school.

Lighthouse77

it is very possible that these CI kids feel ashame of their deafness and don't want to be different. Which is common feeling when you are in a public school. I was ashame of my deafness because there were more hearing people than deaf people. I didn't want anything to do with deaf. I didn't want to wear a FM system in Junior high at all because the teacher would be wearing the microphone. Plus, it was embarrassing to give the mic to one teacher to another at each class period.

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Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.