Adopting a Deaf child

[Bebonang]

Becausse ASL is fully accessible and the sooner the child learns the language the better. You really do not know what it is like to be deaf, do you? You dont know what it is like to miss out on what is being said around you or misunderstand constantly, do you? :roll:

The child will have to learn ASL and English here in the USA so the sooner the better. If the parents want to learn their first language, then great!

That is why I am puzzled over faire_jour's comment that d/Deaf children must learn how to talk and listen which is not the way Deaf people have to struggle the hard way. It is better to have ASL on the side and if the Deaf child want to learn to speak which is fine. But in the mainstream or Deaf school it is better to use ASL or any sign language to help Deaf children understand what is going on in the classroom. Lipreading is way out of line when trying to understand to the teachers and hearing students which means a big group. Bringing the deaf child from China might mean she or he don't have a native language yet, but can learn to use sign language like ASL can help him/her in the long run. I like Deafdyke's suggestion on get some help from the Deaf school. If a parent is eager to adopt a hearing child from other countries like China, but don't want to learn the Chinese child's native language. Yeah, it can be a bummer.

 

[faire_jour]

It is because a child can transfer linguistic knowledge from their L1 language into the learning of ASL. Just because the spoken symbol isn’t English does not mean that it can be translated to the ASL sign that is nothing more than another symbol for the same concept. Parents who adopt hearing children that have a native language from another country don’t learn that child’s language to fluency before adopting them. They immerse them in English and the L1 skills transfer. You show a child that has an L1 language a chair, and then make the sign for chair, they will understand that the sign is the symbol for the concept of the chair no matter what their native spoken language is.

I find this just as disrespectful. Hearing or not, if they have language, why not use it to communicate instead of "cutting them off and forcing them to learn your language" (wait, isn't that what people say oralists do???) why don't you "learn their language and meet them where they are" (again, what people say about ASL). The change is going to be SOOO difficult and scary, why handicap them more by taking away their ability to communicate?

 

[faire_jour]

That is why I am puzzled over faire_jour's comment that d/Deaf children must learn how to talk and listen which is not the way Deaf people have to struggle the hard way. It is better to have ASL on the side and if the Deaf child want to learn to speak which is fine. But in the mainstream or Deaf school it is better to use ASL or any sign language to help Deaf children understand what is going on in the classroom. Lipreading is way out of line when trying to understand to the teachers and hearing students which means a big group. Bringing the deaf child from China might mean she or he don't have a native language yet, but can learn to use sign language like ASL can help him/her in the long run. I like Deafdyke's suggestion on get some help from the Deaf school. If a parent is eager to adopt a hearing child from other countries like China, but don't want to learn the Chinese child's native language. Yeah, it can be a bummer.

Ummm, I have NEVER said thatt deaf children "must learn to speak", I actually advocate ASL for all children with a hearing loss. We even signed with my daughter BEFORE she started losing her hearing.

 

[shel90]

I find this just as disrespectful. Hearing or not, if they have language, why not use it to communicate instead of "cutting them off and forcing them to learn your language" (wait, isn't that what people say oralists do???) why don't you "learn their language and meet them where they are" (again, what people say about ASL). The change is going to be SOOO difficult and scary, why handicap them more by taking away their ability to communicate?

Like I said, you are entitled to your opinion just as I am to mine. If you see it as disrespectful, then I am not going to change your mind.

 

[shel90]

That is why I am puzzled over faire_jour's comment that d/Deaf children must learn how to talk and listen which is not the way Deaf people have to struggle the hard way. It is better to have ASL on the side and if the Deaf child want to learn to speak which is fine. But in the mainstream or Deaf school it is better to use ASL or any sign language to help Deaf children understand what is going on in the classroom. Lipreading is way out of line when trying to understand to the teachers and hearing students which means a big group. Bringing the deaf child from China might mean she or he don't have a native language yet, but can learn to use sign language like ASL can help him/her in the long run. I like Deafdyke's suggestion on get some help from the Deaf school. If a parent is eager to adopt a hearing child from other countries like China, but don't want to learn the Chinese child's native language. Yeah, it can be a bummer.

Yea, I just hope the child from China has a strong first language then the child wont struggle with learning other languages. Studies have proven that. If the child doesnt have a strong first language, it will be very hard for him/her to acquire other languages. That's my #1 concern.

 

[sallylou]

Since you are adopting from China, the child will have developmental delays from the orphanage. The child will progress quickly once he/she gets the attention needed. Consider contracting a pediatrician that specializes in foreign adoption. Some adoption agencies have pediatricians that travel with parents when they pick up their children (check around). Perhaps the pediatrician can evaluate the child and give you additional guidance. Since you are adopting a special needs child, the adoption will be expedited, won't it?

My second child was supposed to be a Chinese girl but I got pregnant after adoption agency approval. I couldn't handle two babies at once and I believed that some other family needed that child. I hadn't received a referral of a child yet so it was easier to stop the process.

It would be really hard for adopting parents to learn much Cantonese or Mandrin. There are plenty of ways for parents to incorporate Chinese culture into the adopted child's life. Saturday Chinese lessons, culture camps, adoption group reunions.

Good luck! I hope that your adoption goes smoothly. No doubt that you will be richly blessed with your child. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Bottesini]

If the child is deaf and in a Chinese orphanage, from what I know, it probably doesn't have any language.

 

[GrendelQ]

If the child is deaf and in a Chinese orphanage, from what I know, it probably doesn't have any language.

Exactly, no L1 yet.

 

[marcyp06]

Its true the child probably has no language, depending on age angpd level of hearing loss. I am a big supporter of making sure children are exposed to all aspects of their cultural background. But if this child comes with no language to start your best best is to jump into ASL (not signed English) from day 1. You will be thankful of this decision when you and your child are communicating easily and freely. Once you are able to communicate then you can definatley look into other language options from her home country. Get yourself into ASL classes now. Involve your hearing daughter as much as you can (some places have signing classes for kids) but don't push her too hard. Make sure she finds it fun and not tiring and remember that when your new child comes your daughter will be there to learn too.
Mainstream programs can be wonderful but still look into the idea of a deaf school so you can be educated on it. Many times deaf school is the only chance a deaf child has to interact with their peers and see other deaf people.
Educate yourself! Being on here is a great start. Familiarize yourself with these boards. There is a diverse group here and you can learn a lot about life in the Deaf world and growing up deaf. Never be scared to ask anything! Read read read! 'A Journey Into The Deaf World' is a great start. I loved 'Train Go Sorry'. Learn about the history of Deaf culture. Meet deaf people in your area, go to Deaf events. Don't stop learning, don't stop asking questions. And always ENJOY THE RIDE!