Oral preschool for deaf children wants to grow

It's definitely lack of awareness. Parents tend to rely on "experts." When the experts tell the parents that they have "the answer," the parents are vulnerable to the expert's opinion, especially when it's what the parents want to hear. Why ask other people when the parents believe that they've found the magic bullet.

This is an issue for all education. There are schools that cater to what parents expect, like the drill 'em and test 'em prep schools. I would never put my kids in a school like that, but some parents believe that the prep schools will make their kids "successful" (as defined by the parents). I'm horrified by the lack of concern for emotional development in that environment but that kids of school appeals to some parents who will pay money to send their child.

The same with deaf education. The school chose the marketing phrase "gift of oral communication" very carefully. That's what they're marketing. Doesn't it invoke certain images of happy children enjoying communication. It's a "gift." Emotional connotation = failure to give your child this education = depriving child. Very clever!
 
sallylou said:
It's definitely lack of awareness. Parents tend to rely on "experts." When the experts tell the parents that they have "the answer," the parents are vulnerable to the expert's opinion, especially when it's what the parents want to hear. Why ask other people when the parents believe that they've found the magic bullet.

This is an issue for all education. There are schools that cater to what parents expect, like the drill 'em and test 'em prep schools. I would never put my kids in a school like that, but some parents believe that the prep schools will make their kids "successful" (as defined by the parents). I'm horrified by the lack of concern for emotional development in that environment but that kids of school appeals to some parents who will pay money to send their child.

The same with deaf education. The school chose the marketing phrase "gift of oral communication" very carefully. That's what they're marketing. Doesn't it invoke certain images of happy children enjoying communication. It's a "gift." Emotional connotation = failure to give your child this education = depriving child. Very clever!
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That just makes me want to literally puke. I was given the gift of oral communication but given the gift of being socially isolated all the time. Then, the gift of hours of therapy to build my self-esteem back because I had the gift of thinking I was a broken hearing person who needed to work harder in my speech classes. Just a shame that these parents and educators dont think about these things.
 
shel90 said:
That just makes me want to literally puke. I was given the gift of oral communication but given the gift of being socially isolated all the time. Then, the gift of hours of therapy to build my self-esteem back because I had the gift of thinking I was a broken hearing person who needed to work harder in my speech classes. Just a shame that these parents and educators dont think about these things.
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Amen.

Although mine wasn't speech classes... it was more like "hearing people are only interested in talking to me if I am fun and have a bunch of stuff; and if I try to keep them occupied, I won't have to talk as often..." I took that to the extreme when I didn't know where the local Deaf community was.

Being treated for compulsive-hoarding and self-perfectionism sucks.
 
Really sad here. We need to remember, many ASLers do not have speech or lip reading skills which those parents want their kids to have. shame they did not know how damage they are going to put them on their own kids. For that I do not care and let them do it. I am so sick and tired of it.
 
My therapist once told me that she undoes the damage caused when her clients did not get what they needed in childhood. On a very basic level, children need to be accepted exactly as they are (whether they have speech skills or not). Children need unconditional love. So many people did not get that (me included) and that's why people end up at the therapist's office. Fortunately, people can heal and move on with their lives.
 
sallylou said:
It's definitely lack of awareness. Parents tend to rely on "experts." When the experts tell the parents that they have "the answer," the parents are vulnerable to the expert's opinion, especially when it's what the parents want to hear. Why ask other people when the parents believe that they've found the magic bullet.

This is an issue for all education. There are schools that cater to what parents expect, like the drill 'em and test 'em prep schools. I would never put my kids in a school like that, but some parents believe that the prep schools will make their kids "successful" (as defined by the parents). I'm horrified by the lack of concern for emotional development in that environment but that kids of school appeals to some parents who will pay money to send their child.

The same with deaf education. The school chose the marketing phrase "gift of oral communication" very carefully. That's what they're marketing. Doesn't it invoke certain images of happy children enjoying communication. It's a "gift." Emotional connotation = failure to give your child this education = depriving child. Very clever!
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yes, I blame audiologists for lack of awareness so they can share information to the parents. and that children who use ASL can be as successful as verbal speaking deaf.
 
sallylou said:
My therapist once told me that she undoes the damage caused when her clients did not get what they needed in childhood. On a very basic level, children need to be accepted exactly as they are (whether they have speech skills or not). Children need unconditional love. So many people did not get that (me included) and that's why people end up at the therapist's office. Fortunately, people can heal and move on with their lives.
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I disagree with the idea that if you are teaching your child to listen and speak that you don't unconditionally love them and accept them.
 
Of course you do. We'll have to agree to disagree.
 
sallylou said:
Of course you do. We'll have to agree to disagree.
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So anyone who wants their child to learn the language of the majority doesn't love their child enough? Even those of us who also give them ASL? Wow, that is cold....I couldn't disagree more. I think that nearly all parents love their children with all their hearts and do what they believe is best for their children.
 
FJ, this is not all about you. I have my beliefs and you have yours. We have different experiences and different ideas. That's all.
 
sallylou said:
FJ, this is not all about you. I have my beliefs and you have yours. We have different experiences and different ideas. That's all.
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So is that a yes, then? Anyone who teaches a child spoken language doesn't love their child enough....uh oh, Jillio, you see this??? Yikes, I thought giving a child ALL communication options was a good thing....
 
FJ, I didn't comment on your situation at all. Again, this discussion is not all about you.
 
sallylou said:
My therapist once told me that she undoes the damage caused when her clients did not get what they needed in childhood. On a very basic level, children need to be accepted exactly as they are (whether they have speech skills or not). Children need unconditional love. So many people did not get that (me included) and that's why people end up at the therapist's office. Fortunately, people can heal and move on with their lives.
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I have seen so many times in my friends experiences. I always tell them they are so smart and so good at writing. but they always tell me about their emotionals are somehow hard. I feel them!. :hug: I know I am not perfect in that differetn area than you.
 
Frisky feline, my brother is dyslexic. Can't do math to save his life. He is a very intelligent person. It's hard for him, though.

I have my own issue like everyone else. I'm trying to minimize the amount of therapy my kids will need. LOL!
 
sallylou said:
FJ, I didn't comment on your situation at all. Again, this discussion is not all about you.
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I asked you a specific question: Do you believe that any parent who teachs a child spoken language (even if they also use ASL) doesn't accept and unconditionally love their child.

I said that I don't believe that. You disagreed. That would mean that you *DO* believe that.

And no, it isn't all about me. There are MANY parents in the world who are raising their deaf child with ASL and spoken language. In my experience, very nearly all parents use at least some sign with their kids at some point.
 
FJ, I'm not taking the bait. I'm not going to argue with you.
 
FJ, I don't even know who you are. How in the world do you think that I can comment on your situation? I can't.
 
I don't know much about your child at all. I'm sure that she's a lovely child who has a bright future ahead of her. I wish her the best.

I believe that a mom knows what is best for her child. She gave birth to the child and she knows the child. The mom knows the child's medical prognosis, personality, etc. I'm confident that you know what to do for your child.

Nothing I've said here has been directed to you in any way. You don't need my approval. I'm just a person hanging out here. And I can't even communicate as clearly as I'd like because this is a limited medium. Don't worry what I or anyone else thinks.
 
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