AC, ASL & Eyeth Day

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here.  Life has been crazy… but, good.    AC is finishing up 6th grade, his first year of middle school.  He’s done remarkably well.  We had his 504 plan meeting last week, and basically will just repeat it for next year.  The main thing it entails really is the use of the FM system, and some basic consideration.  Right now, it seems that is meeting his needs.  AC actually won 2 awards last week at the awards ceremony – one for being on high honor roll with distinction all year, AND the other was a math award.  We’re very proud of him. 

Next year, he will be in 7th grade, and take ASL (American Sign Language) as his foreign language.  He’s looking forward to that.  I just finished up a little beginner ASL class for staff where I work.  I learned a lot, but feel like I have so much to learn.  ASL, and the Deaf culture in general, are very interesting.  I hope that AC will enjoy learning more about it next year too.  He’s already learned a little with me, and it already is fun and also handy.  Like, when he didn’t have his hearing aids in, I could sign some basic ASL (like, “Go to Bed!” or “Did you finish your homework??”) to him without him saying, “what?” 1o times…. of course, then he said, “I don’t KNOW ASL yet!”. 

The more I learn about Deaf culture, the more I realize that AC doesn’t fit into the Deaf world at all.  With his mild/moderate hearing loss – he is currently, and always has been, completely immursed in the  “Hearing World”.  Still, he isn’t QUITE like all his non HOH peers & family, and he is a bit “caught in between worlds”.  (I still like this article about this: “A Dual Identity Critical for Students“).   It will be good for him to learn about both worlds – and then, maybe someday, he can feel like he has the best of both worlds.  His learning ASL is vital for him to do that.  I wish we would have started earlier with it.  Better late than never, I guess, right?

For my ASL class, we read a book, called “A Journey Into the Deaf-World“.  Very interesting.   It certainly gives one better understanding of the history of Deaf culture and ASL in general.  You can find the book here if you’re interested: http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Into-Deaf-World-Harlan-Lane/dp/0915035634

I also  had to write a little paper for the ASL.  The assignment was to attend a Deaf culture event, and write a brief reflective paper about it. I attended an event called “Eyeth Day”, and if anyone’s interested – here it is:

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I attended “Eyeth Day” at the University where I work, with a few classmates from our ASL level 2 class.   This event was held right on campus and was basically a simulation of a Deaf town on “planet Eyeth”, with various businesses, etc.  Students attending river campus that are taking ASL had to complete certain tasks at each station as they played the role of the customer visiting the town.  Luckily, the actors took it easy on myself and our group, since our ASL skills were not nearly as advanced as most of those students. 

Before this event, I had never heard of “Eyeth”.  The whole concept was actually quite intriguing.  The idea is that “Earth” is related to the word “ear”, reflecting the predominantly hearing world we live in.  Whereas “Eyeth” is related to the word “eye” and portrays a pretend planet where communication and life is based on a visual world.  On Eyeth, Deaf culture and

Walk4Hearing – Coming up!

So, the other day I received an email about the Walk4Hearing coming up soon, on Sunday May 3rd. This will be the 3rd annual Walk4Hearing, sponsored by the Hearing Loss Association of America (Rochester chapter), and I’m really looking forward to it.  We will join Katy’s team, with her daughter Rory.  If anyone can participate, sponsor, or donate – please click here.   

The person who emailed me, Katy, is the same person my husband approached out of the blue while they were waiting in line at the Planetarium in 2005.  I briefly mention

ASL as “Foreign Language” for Hard of Hearing Children

Apparently, ASL (American Sign Language) is a very popular choice for kids to take at my son’s public school as their “Foreign Language”.  So popular, that they do not guarantee any child can take it.  

My son, AC , is in 6th grade now and mainstreamed.  His school recently sent home a standard form for kids/parents to state preferences for class choices for next year.  They made it clear to pick more than one option for Foreign Language, as there were no guarantee’s to get into your first choice.  ASL is one of the most popular choices.  A separate topic all together I’d like to explore more sometime…

We really wanted our son, AC, to take ASL as his “foreign language” next year since he’s hard of hearing.  Is just makes sense and seems like an obvious placement for him, right?  I mean, it’s not like he just WANTS to take ASL for the fun of it (although he does really want to take it, and thinks it will be fun).  He has obvious good reasons for taking ASL rather than Italian or French, right?  Well, like many things, I’ve learned that when you are dealing with a ”mild-moderate” hearing loss – not much is obvious. 

So, the school asked me to put in writing my request explaining why I was so adamant about him taking ASL,  and return it with the form – and they would do their best to accommodate.  So, here’s my letter and top reasons on WHY I think my son, or really any hard of hearing child, should take ASL for their Foreign Language…

Hello XXXXXX,

I’m writing this letter regarding my son, AC, and his language preference for 7th grade. I understand that students will not necessarily get into the language preference that they want, and that is going to be assigned. I’m requesting that, if at ALL possible, AC be placed in ASL for his language due to the fact that he is hearing impaired.

As you know, AC has a mild/moderate bilateral hearing loss. He wears hearing aids, and is using the FM system in school. He’s having great success so far this year and we are thrilled with his progress. We look forward to his continuing in accelerated courses next year. Because of his hearing impairment, ASL would be the logical, most beneficial, and possibly essential, language for him to learn. I would really appreciate it if you would consider the following reasons/explanations for this request.

1) AC’s hearing loss could be progressive, and should he ever lose more of his hearing (which we hope will never happen – but is impossible to know for sure) he could really use adequate ASL skills in order

Happy New Year in ASL

Happy New Year everyone! 

I mentioned before I’m taking an ASL class.   I’ve learned a little so far, but mostly learned that I have a LOT more to learn!!  It’s a bit intimidating.  But…. I took 3 years of French  back in High School and never really could speak French very well – so, I don’t know why I should think ASL will be any easier.  I am enjoying the class…. and hope to continue on with it.  It is fun.

So – Happy New Year everyone!

And, now… for your viewing and learning enjoyment…

Passing grades do not disqualify a child for special education services

I received the newest WrightsLaw Newsletter - and wanted to share the below article since I hear so many parents fighting with schools about wether their child qualifies for services or not.    Too often schools think that unless a child with hearing loss is failing and doing really poorly – they don’t qualify for services.  This is NOT the law.   Read on…  

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From: http://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/08/nl.1216.htm 

Does Your Child Meet the Legal Definition of “Child with a Disability”

The special ed law and regulations do not mention grades as a criteria for referring a child for a special education evaluation or finding a child eligible for special education services.

A child with a disability is not automatically eligible for special education and related services under IDEA. The key phrase is “who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services.”

Does your child’s disability adversely affect educational performance?

Must be MY SIDE… ;)

The big brain on my son, that is…  (my side ). 

I hope this doesn’t come off the wrong way… but, I am pretty psyched and wanted to share. We just got AC’s first report card from middle school today. He got strait A+’s!! . =) We’re so proud of him!!

I thought he was doing well… but, I wasn’t sure just how well.. and half expected to have at least one class or teacher that he might be having some problems with.  So, when he called me today (obviously pretty pleased, himself) and he told me he made high honor roll – well, can you say “ecstatic?”.  =)  This was just wonderful news. =) A relief even. Like, “Whew! Maybe middle school won’t be so bad.” sorta feeling…

When will my baby brother start wearing his hearing aids?

Brothers

AC was just over 5 years old when I had my 2nd son.  He was so excited to be a big brother. He was also so happy the baby was a boy. He wanted a brother. And, what a great big brother he was/is. I was worried the big age difference might be a drawback to how much they would bond – but, that was a short-lived worry. AC loved being the big brother… and DC loved being the baby. They get along great… each enjoying their role.

But, there are some things that are hard to explain to a five year old. Shortly after we brought his little brother home, AC asked me one day, “So, when will DC start to wear his hearing aids?”. I realized that he just assumed that since he had started wearing his HA’s the year before – that his little brother would eventually do the the same.

I tried to explain to him that we had the baby’s ears tested, and that his baby brother didn’t seem to have the same needs as he did. That he might not ever need HA’s.  This didn’t make AC happy. He wanted his little brother to be just like him… and, I think, maybe this was one of the first times he felt that old “that’s not fair” feeling (more on that in this other post).

I wasn’t sure what to say. I tried to explain to him that everyone is different… that the world would be pretty boring if everyone was the same. etc.   I also pointed out that they had lots of things that were the same… like, they both had big blue eyes…  and me for a mom…  and how they would always be brothers…  and how lucky the baby was to have him for a big brother, etc.

The funny thing is – my younger son, DC, looks up to his big brother soooo much… that years later, when DC was about 4 yrs old and AC was then 9, DC INSISTED (for weeks) that he could not hear me.  He WANTED hearing aids too! At first,

Mild Hearing Loss or ADD??

I want to share another thing I learned that blew me away in our “year of discovery” (when AC was in 3rd grade).  Apparently, a lot of kids that are HOH get misdiagnosed as ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder.  AC was almost one of them.  That was how we figured out he needed the FM and all – because his teacher started saying all these little negative “behavioral” things were happening – things like many of the ones noted on this list from phonic ear.  Check out the chart: 

Similarities Between Mild Hearing Loss & Attention Deficit Disorder

Maybe, this information is old news now… but, when I first heard this I had a HUGE ”light-bulb moment”.  I wish I had known this information BEFORE that point.  So, maybe this will help someone else out there who’s just starting off with a child diagnosed with mild hearing loss.  

At the time I discovered this (thru my OWN research) we were in the process of weeks of jumping through hoops. 

So… What’s YOUR Problem?!

As I mentioned before, the year AC was in 3rd grade was a bit of a rough year for us. It was the first time he really ever “got in trouble” in school. He was basically being misunderstood, and was falsely accused of misbehaving, when he simply wasn’t hearing. 

Third grade was also the first time that AC really got a taste of being picked on or singled out by other kids because of his hearing aids… and of course he didn’t like it. Fortunately, the picking on was a few isolated cases… and, he always had lots of friends -  but, even a little “teasing/bullying” is hard to take.  Being the only kid you know who wears hearing aids makes you different, and being “different” when you’re a kid can be difficult.  The fact that this was also the time his teacher was suddenly on his case for “misbehaving” probably didn’t help.

On this particular afternoon back in third grade, AC came home mad.  He didn’t want to wear his hearing aids anymore. “I don’t NEED them!”, he said.

Of course, what he really wanted was NOT to be different. Not to

Silent Whispers…

There’s a beautifully written post by Michelle over at the “Say What Club” blog - entitled: “All That A Whisper Is“.  Michelle is a mom who has severe hearing loss herself, and talks about how she could not hear whispers from her child.  Please go read her post…  it’s an inspiring read.

For me, it also gave me a glimpse to the other side.  Because along with not hearing the “th, f, s, sh, sp, t, b, etc” silent consonants, it was my son who could not hear my whispers.  I wrote this in response to her post:

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great post… thank you for sharing that.

It reminded me that when I realized my son couldn’t hear whispers (he was 4 when we found out he had a mild-mod hearing loss)… and it suddenly made sense why when HE whispered something to me, he only moved his lips. He didn’t think you were SUPPOSE to say it out loud.. because, he could not hear us.

When I first realized that… I felt tremendously guilty… both, for not realizing why he only moved his lips… and, because I realized that for 4 years… I was always whispering sweet nothings in his ears… I love you’s… sssshhhhhh sounds when he was crying… and he never heard any of it…

I felt terrible about that… but,