Ever have one of those conversations about something that you wish you would have approached differently or that it might have gone a little more smoothly? I had one the other day with a random mother at a birthday party. I was caught off guard when I saw a little girl swimming in the pool with her hearing aids on. Honestly, I am around LOTS of Deaf people, ALL. THE. TIME. but very few actually use assistive listening devices. I first thought the sweet thing had forgotten to take them off but the mother assured me that they were completely water proof and that is where the conversation went bad.
I mentioned that my youngest was profoundly Deaf but he doesn’t keep his hearing aids on anyway. She immediately responded that we should use a bonnet on him. I replied, kindly have you, that my husband and I are anti bonnets and that it didn’t really matter anyways because he is so profoundly Deaf they don’t really help that much. Her response caught me off guard. She said (in a snarky tone), “then why don’t you have implanted already.” To which, I replied, well “we don’t really believe in implants either.”
I was really shocked and I am sure that I seemed offended. I was. What amazed me most, was in that 3 minute conversation I actually felt like she somehow was angry with me. It still amazes me how people respond when we tell them that we are not implanting but instead focusing on developing his primary language in ASL.
And then I see this:
And this:
And I remember that little Mister is only 14 months and already has 10 word vocabulary. TEN WORDS! Isn’t that amazing? Last week he had his 6 month Early Intervention review and scored above level for language. He is rocking the hand talk.
I am not saying that if you choose to only go the oral route or use hearing aids you are doing something wrong. I am just saying that Ez is thriving in his language acquisition and it thrills me how he is progressing sans interventions.
Here is our list of current signs in order of first use.
- MILK
- BED
- MORE
- ALL DONE
- EAT
- PLEASE
- BATH
- MOM
- DAD
- DOG
- WALK
- DAD
He also uses MORE EAT and EAT DOG (feed the dog) as two words sentences.
Do you incorporate sign language with your typical hearing child?
How does it make communication easier?
Oh my gosh, he is so cute. Is the second video the sign for EAT? Eat Dog, I love it! I’m so sorry about the tough conversation you had. But good for you for standing up in what you believe. You are a great mom and he obviously and progressing nicely.
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This is great Mel!! He is doing awesome and so stinking cute!! We are teaching Liam sign and he is starting to sign some sentences as well, which I love. Most of the time we have to sign the sentences and he copies but he’s getting it. He signs Dad, help, please, more, milk, water (he kinda just points to his chin when he signs this, just started doing this one), thank you, hat, hot, cold, he will sometimes sign mom but that is kinda all over the head at the moment, brush teeth, bird, cat and soemtiems he’ll sign cow and horse 🙂
I hate that people have that kind of reaction when you say that you aren’t implanting! I know for some it’s hard to understand but to act that way is just awful! I love to watch their little hands signing! 🙂
Such a cute little boy! And good for you for standing up for what you believe in! It amazes me that people get angry how others choose to parent their kids.
When did he start signing? We’ve been trying to use ASL (even though DD hears), but she just doesn’t seem interested in it (9 months old).
We have signed since birth but I do think his communication is enchanced because he is in an all signing enviroment for daycare/school and home. However, I truly believe that it makes all the difference in the world when hearing kids start to use signs, typcially around 12 months. I would start with simple signs like MILK and MORE.
I love this post over at Mama Loups Den – http://mamanloupsden.com/2014/03/18/why-i-wish-id-used-baby-sign-language/
She has some great points and there is an update to..I am sure you can find it on a search.
Those videos are awesome! I think he has more vocabulary than my 20 mo. hearing son! I had toyed with doing sign, but I never followed through with it. Maybe we should all get involved and try it with baby #3, she’s only 4 mo. I know her older siblings would love learning it with her!
We have used some sign language with our hearing daughter, starting at maybe 6 months. Took awhile for catch on. Sometimes now at 2 she still uses some of the signs. Mostly once she was able to speak the word she dropped the sign. When learning new words we still introduce the sign as well.
Wow I think you are doing an incredible job with your son! It always amazes me how judgemental some people are 🙁 Why can’t others just be respectful….
Great job & so cute! I’ve been signing with my daughter since birth… and now, at 17 months, I can’t count all the signs she uses. I think she first started signing back at around 6 or 7 months. Her Grammee loves that she can tell us what she wants. I think it makes for a much happier baby….and thus, a happier Mommy. 🙂
We do use signs. As a pediatric PT I have a.ways used some signs, then my second child was apraxia and needed signs in order to speak initially! Using signs with our new baby now and she is getting it at seven months.
This is great! I have wondered if some parents of kids with deafness choose to not seek CIs or hearing aides. I would feel the same way I think.
It is a very hard decision but we are still happy with ours. Little man is thriving in a whole language world. His ears, his decision is our plan.