1. Faced with a decision…. Modes, Methods. Available Resources. Technology. Personal & Societal issues Beliefs about Disability Beliefs about Disability Social Isolation Social Isolation Grief, fear, shame or elation? Grief, fear, shame or elation?. Peers & Social Outlets. Educational Options. Lack of & Validity of Information Copyright © 2009 Hands & Voices

2. So much to consider! Age of Identification Age of Identification Onset of Hearing loss Onset of Hearing loss Degree of Hearing loss Degree of Hearing loss Benefit from Hearing Aids Benefit from Hearing Aids Family Dynamics: Family Dynamics: Siblings & Extended Family Siblings & Extended Family Lifestyle Lifestyle Bilingual issues Bilingual issues Culture & Values Culture & Values Attitude & Commitment Attitude & Commitment Finances Finances Multiple Issues or Labels Multiple Issues or Labels Family Support System Family Support System Urban or Rural Urban or Rural So much more… So much more… © Hands & Voices 2009

3. The Menu Approach American Sign Language American Sign Language Auditory Oral Auditory Oral Auditory Verbal Auditory Verbal Cued Speech Cued Speech Total Communication Total Communication Sign Systems (SEE, SEE2, PSE) Sign Systems (SEE, SEE2, PSE) Verbo-Tonal Verbo-Tonal Choose one ! Is the method or the child leading this process? Can we change our mind? Are we too reliant on professionals? Did we make this decision or were we manipulated into it? © Hands & Voices 2009

4. We failed. vs. The method failed.

5. Hands & Voices Approach = Trained, D irect Parent to Parent Support & Communication Considerations A – Z Will he talk? Should he? We dont know anybody who signs-- how will we learn how to sign with her? Where will she go to school? How will we know the communication choice were making is right for our child? Who can help? When should we decide about a cochlear implant? Can he attend our neighborhood school? Will she have friends? What dont we know? whose philosophy is right? What if we make the wrong choices? Why wont my father-in-law play with him? How is this supposed to work when were driving??? The school says No!? What if the other children dont understand her? What if he doesnt understand the other children? Can she feel the starter gun at swim meets? Will he be able to play football or wrestle? Should I still sing her a lullaby? What will he think of our choices one day? ___________________________________________________ © Hands & Voices 2009

6. The Book of Choice is a wonderful expression of what we know to be true: parents sharing directly with other parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing bring an essential kind of hope, inspiration and empower- ment. This book is an amazing resource that captures that unique quality, and opens our minds to broader, more holistic views of parenting a child with hearing loss. Its just the kind of thing youd expect from Hands & Voices.The Book of Choice is a wonderful expression of what we know to be true: parents sharing directly with other parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing bring an essential kind of hope, inspiration and empower- ment. This book is an amazing resource that captures that unique quality, and opens our minds to broader, more holistic views of parenting a child with hearing loss. Its just the kind of thing youd expect from Hands & Voices. -- Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, PhD, University of Colorado, Boulder USA A New Resource for Family Support…

7. Parents sharing their wisdom: what do I know now that I wish I knew right from the start…? Libby Matlin, Illinois mother of Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin, shown here at age three When Marlee was about three years old, I remember being in the bank and she was wearing her hearing aids in a harness with a pouch on the outside of her dress. She was double-aided, so of course the wires were visibly going into her ears. When I turned around, there was Marlee with a group of little kids around her asking what was she wearing and why? I held a little class and explained why she was wearing this gadget. Marlee was delighted, showing off her hearing aids to the kids while I narrated. I wish I knew back then that Marlees personality was going to overcome the embarrassment of wearing all that equipment. She never let it slow her down.

9. Communication Considerations A to Z 1. What Is (the topic)? 2. What issues are at the forefront of this topic? 3. What should every parent or professional know about the topic? 4. Where can I find more information on this topic? Acoustics / Classroom Adaptations Acoustics / Classroom Adaptations Acoustics / Classroom Adaptations Acoustics / Classroom Adaptations Advocacy, Educational Advocacy, Educational Advocacy, Educational Advocacy, Educational ASL (American Sign Language) ASL (American Sign Language) ASL (American Sign Language) ASL (American Sign Language) Advocacy, Self Advocacy, Self Advocacy, Self Advocacy, Self Auditory Neuropathy Auditory Neuropathy Auditory Neuropathy Auditory Neuropathy Audiogram Audiogram Audiogram Auditory Oral Education Auditory Oral Education Auditory Oral Education Auditory Oral Education Auditory Verbal Therapy Auditory Verbal Therapy Auditory Verbal Therapy Auditory Verbal Therapy Access Access Adolescence Adolescence ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Age of Identification Availability of Resources ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Age of Identification Availability of Resources Signing Exact English, (SEE) Signing Exact English, (SEE) Signing Exact English, (SEE Signing Exact English, (SEE Self Advocacy Self Advocacy Self Advocacy Self Advocacy Social Cognition / Theory of Mind Social Cognition / Theory of Mind Social Cognition / Theory of Mind Social Cognition / Theory of Mind Sign Language - ASL (American Sign Language) Sign Language - ASL (American Sign Language) Sign Language - ASL (American Sign Language) Sign Language - ASL (American Sign Language) Siblings Siblings Sign Language Sports Sign Language Sports Decision Making - Choices Decision Making - Choices Decision Making - Choices Decision Making - Choices Deaf Education Deaf Education Deaf Education Deaf Education Deaf Childs Bill of Rights Deaf Childs Bill of Rights Deaf Childs Bill of Rights Deaf Childs Bill of Rights Deaf Plus Deaf Plus Deaf Plus Deaf Plus Deaf Deaf Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adult Mentors Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adult Mentors Deaf/Blind Deaf/Blind Deaf Culture & Community Degree of Hearing Loss Deaf Culture & Community Degree of Hearing Loss Disability Disability AD S © Hands & Voices 2009

10. 25 Expert-Author Contributors include… Mary Pat Moeller, PhD Boystown National Research Hospital Marc Marschark, PhD NTID/Rochester Institute of Technology, New York Mary Ellen Nevins & Pat Chute Arlene Kelly, PhD & Beth Benedict, PhD Gallaudet University Alys Young, PhD University of Manchester UK

11. Leeanne Seaver Leeanne@handsandvoices.org What works for your child is what makes the choice right. is what makes the choice right. The Book of Choice The Book of Choice is available now at the H&V Booth or on-line at www.handsandvoices.org