A mother whose child has had a cochlear implant tells Laura Mauldin why enrollment in the sign language program at her daughter’s school is plummeting: “The majority of parents want their kids to talk.” Some parents, however, feel very differently, because “curing” deafness with cochlear implants is uncertain, difficult, and freighted with judgment about what is normal, acceptable, and right. Made to Hear sensitively and thoroughly considers the structure and culture of the systems we have built to make deaf children hear. Based on accounts of and interviews with families who adopt the cochlear implant for their deaf children, this book describes the experiences of mothers as they navigate the health care system, their interactions with the professionals who work with them, and the influence of neuroscience on the process. Though Mauldin explains the politics surrounding the issue, her focus is not on the controversy of whether to have a cochlear implant but on the long-term, multiyear undertaking of implantation. Her study provides a nuanced view of a social context in which science, technology, and medicine are trusted to vanquish disability—and in which mothers are expected to use these tools. Made to Hear reveals that implantation has the central goal of controlling the development of the deaf child’s brain by boosting synapses for spoken language and inhibiting those for sign language, placing the politics of neuroscience front and center. Examining the consequences of cochlear implant technology for professionals and parents of deaf children, Made to Hear shows how certain neuroscientific claims about neuroplasticity, deafness, and language are deployed to encourage compliance with medical technology.

A tribute to a much-respected figure in Deaf education, this book also reflects the state of current understanding of the complex interacting domains in which Deaf children develop. For educators, developmentalists, and specialists in Deafness.

First Published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Three scholars from Gallaudet U. in Washington D.C. discuss the results of their research into the experiences of young deaf and hard of hearing children and their parents. Based upon a nationwide survey of parents with six- to seven-year-old children, as well as 80 in-depth interviews, the text des

This book presents a rationale and framework for auditory learning in childhood and describes a wide range of practical listening activities that adults can apply during everyday interaction with the child. The book serves as a guide to intervention and practice for teachers, parents, speech pathologists, audiologists and other health professionals. Themes include: Adult-child interaction; Listening tasks that challenge the child; Effective communication strategies; Adaptation to the child's skill level. This book shows adults how to become better communicators in order to help hearing-impaired children maximize their listening skills, and develop their spoken language and conversational competence. The therapeutic methods are founded upon evidence-based research, as well as practical experience obtained in pre-schools, classrooms, clinics, and parent-advisory centers. -- from Back Cover.

Written primarily for parents who have children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, this timely, unique text offers clear guidance to assist parents in obtaining the necessary educational benefits that are appropriate for their children. The book contains important information on the recent 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as many other pertinent issues.

The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Couples and Family Relationships presents original articles from leading experts that link research, policy, and practice together to reflect the most current knowledge of contemporary relationships. Offers interesting new perspectives on a range of relationship issues facing twenty-first century Western society Helps those who work with couples and families facing with relationship issues Includes practical suggestions for dealing with relationship problems Explores diverse issues, including family structure versus functioning; attachment theory; divorce and family breakdown; communication and conflict; self regulation, partner regulation, and behavior change; care-giving and parenting; relationship education; and therapy and policy implications

This book is about the importance of placing the views of families with deaf children at the front of policies and practices which impact on their lives. It concerns such families in a variety of different situations and circumstances, facing a whole range of issues, many of which are equally relevant to children with other impairments and their families. The aim of the book is to raise awareness of how enabling environments can be provided for deaf children and their families.

... A book of information and ideas for all who are concerned about the well-being of disabled children. It is especially for those who live in rural areas where resources are limited ... Written by [the author] with the help of disabled persons and pioneers in rehabilitation in many countries, this book ... gives a wealth of clear, simple, but detailed information concerning most common disabilities of children: many different physical disabilities, blindness, deafness, fits, behavior problems, and developmental delay. It gives suggestions for simplified rehabilitation, low-cost aids, and ways to help disabled children find a role and be accepted in the community. Above all, the book helps us to realize that most of the answers for meeting these children's needs can be found within the community, the family, and in the children themselves. It discusses ways of starting small community rehabilitation centers and workshops run by disabled persons or the families of disabled children.-Back cover.