Child extremely interested in C.I. technology

[lumiina]

I nanny a child who is extremely interested in cochlear implants. She'll spend hours online just looking up the technology, and can name all the parts of a C.I. Her next door neighbor is Deaf and has a cochlear implants. But she's not so interested in sign language. She used to be, but for some reason she's not anymore. She wants to become an audiologist when she grows up.

I know that this might be a phase and she'll become interested in other things when she gets older, but is this an early sign of someone who will turn out to be an oralist/auralist? Her father is just absolutely against her interest in C.I.'s and sign language. I'm afraid that every time I try to redirect her and show her that C.I., while having worked for her friend, doesn't work for every Deaf person, might remind her of her dad discouraging her and she'll just close up.

I've shown her this one YouTube channel, called txbrown5, which has these adorable adopted brothers who use sign language and are learning to be bilingual in reading/writing English and ASL. I just casually showed it to her, not pushing anything. She thought it was really cute. Hopefully little things like this will broaden her interests to not just C.I.'s. It's fine that she's interested in C.I.'s, but I don't want her to think that every Deaf person needs the technology, and has to be fixed. The Deaf community is very diverse. I've told her this before, and she recognizes that at least. Sometimes she'll use sign language (or, well... her made up sign language, with some real signs thrown in) when she plays with her dolls and they have audiology appointments. She told me she will learn sign language after all one day. I just find it interesting that she got so interested in the technology, rather than the language. Her mom says she wants to find ASL classes for the two of them, but the girl has told her mom she's not really interested in taking classes.

If you know any other YouTube channels I could share with her, please share!

 

[Frisky Feline]

How old is she? is she deaf?

 

[lumiina]

The child is hearing and she's nine years old.

 

[Bottesini]

I nanny a child who is extremely interested in cochlear implants. She'll spend hours online just looking up the technology, and can name all the parts of a C.I. Her next door neighbor is Deaf and has a cochlear implants. But she's not so interested in sign language. She used to be, but for some reason she's not anymore. She wants to become an audiologist when she grows up.

I know that this might be a phase and she'll become interested in other things when she gets older, but is this an early sign of someone who will turn out to be an oralist/auralist? QUOTE]

One of my stepmother's friends is a deaf audiologist. What makes you think Deaf people don't use audiologists or technology?

 

[lumiina]

I nanny a child who is extremely interested in cochlear implants. She'll spend hours online just looking up the technology, and can name all the parts of a C.I. Her next door neighbor is Deaf and has a cochlear implants. But she's not so interested in sign language. She used to be, but for some reason she's not anymore. She wants to become an audiologist when she grows up.

I know that this might be a phase and she'll become interested in other things when she gets older, but is this an early sign of someone who will turn out to be an oralist/auralist? QUOTE]

One of my stepmother's friends is a deaf audiologist. What makes you think Deaf people don't use audiologists or technology?

I don't think that at all! I know that the Deaf community is very diverse, and that many Deaf people use H.A. and C.I. But I was just wondering if this is strange or not that this girl is so passionate about C.I. and not so much about sign language. If it's not strange, then I'll just let her go on and pursue her dreams rather than try to guide her in a different direction. From my experience, I've heard from a lot of people involved with the Deaf community that C.I.'s are controversial, so I didn't know if it was okay. But, if there doesn't seem to be a problem with it, then I won't see it as one either. Exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.

 

[Anij]

It sounds mostly like she's fascinated by the technology of it all more than anything else.

I've always been technical/mechanically minded - I like to study how various things work ... like being interested in dance, or art, or music.

Really, I don't think it's any different than if she was interested in how cars or anything else mechanical works.

CIs aren't really "controversial" in most of the Deaf community anymore (they were 15-20years ago).
They work for some people, they don't for others. They are a personal choice.

 

[lumiina]

It sounds mostly like she's fascinated by the technology of it all more than anything else.

I've always been technical/mechanically minded - I like to study how various things work ... like being interested in dance, or art, or music.

Really, I don't think it's any different than if she was interested in how cars or anything else mechanical works.

CIs aren't really "controversial" in most of the Deaf community anymore (they were 15-20years ago).
They work for some people, they don't for others. They are a personal choice.

That's what I expected. I think an interest in this is going to take her somewhere. I wanted to reassure her parents of that. Her mom is generally okay with it. If she's already doing so much research, she might turn into one smart person. Likewise, she has a friend who's really interested in technology. Though her focus is more narrowed down to one type of technology, it's pretty neat to see these kids knowing so much! Plus, she watches the surgery videos too. So, she won't be squeamish like me.

Oh, then I feel misled! I talked to an anthropologist who is involved in the Deaf community in Japan, and he made it seem as if the technology is very controversial today. Thank you for giving me another perspective.

 

[A Nihilist]

Oh, then I feel misled! I talked to an anthropologist who is involved in the Deaf community in Japan, and he made it seem as if the technology is very controversial today. Thank you for giving me another perspective.

Even though we all have a similar disability we don't all fit into a stereotypical mold. CI is not an option for me because of my type of hearing loss, my auditory nerves are all screwed up and the world's best CI won't make a difference.

Some people think that being deaf is an identity and that by getting CI's they'll be selling out. Whatever, more power to them. :roll:

I was born HoH and without hearing aids I can't hear anything and yet I don't know how to sign and don't care to either. I want to be able to survive in the "real" world instead of in the deaf world. That's just too isolating for me. (A sideline it gets annoying when a stranger asks me if I know this deaf person nearby as if we're all in a secret club) I can talk and read lips FYI.

I remember going to a deaf summer camp and I hated it because everyday things that hearing people take for granted would take forever. For example, going to 7-11 to buy a coke is no big deal right? Well for those deaf kids they had to have an interpreter with them and when you have an interpreter involved you gotta make a schedule and you gotta take turns with sharing interpreters. What takes you a few minutes takes those deaf kids almost a half hour.

As for me I just went in without even checking with the group, bought a coke, and went back to my dorm and I got in trouble. What a badass eh?

Long story short, the deaf culture is real diverse and we really are just regular folks who happen to have some kind of disability that makes life different. Some deaf people love being deaf and will never try to fix their hearing. Some people think being deaf is a curse and will do anything to fix their problem.

You seem to be trying to understand how to interact with deaf people. So with that my suggestion is to avoid the pity talk and instead treat the deaf like a human being who just needs to sign or read lips to communicate with you.

 

[Frisky Feline]

The child is hearing and she's nine years old.

oh that makes sense as to why this age in your babysitting this child that group that would be interested in CI or HA. My hearing kids still think HA and CI are all cure. I did share my opinon with them and explain that every Deaf/deaf/HOH have different upbringing how much they have been practicing with speaking and read lips but not 100 percents and ASL issue.

 

[lumiina]

...(A sideline it gets annoying when a stranger asks me if I know this deaf person nearby as if we're all in a secret club) I can talk and read lips FYI.

I remember going to a deaf summer camp and I hated it because everyday things that hearing people take for granted would take forever. For example, going to 7-11 to buy a coke is no big deal right? Well for those deaf kids they had to have an interpreter with them and when you have an interpreter involved you gotta make a schedule and you gotta take turns with sharing interpreters. What takes you a few minutes takes those deaf kids almost a half hour.

As for me I just went in without even checking with the group, bought a coke, and went back to my dorm and I got in trouble. What a badass eh?

...

You seem to be trying to understand how to interact with deaf people. So with that my suggestion is to avoid the pity talk and instead treat the deaf like a human being who just needs to sign or read lips to communicate with you.

It's not too crazy for a hearing person to think that a Deaf person would know another Deaf person they know. If they are coming from an experience like mine, I met a group of Deaf people and they were sharing with each other information about a new Deaf student at their school and I was told by an interpreter that when Deaf people meet they use the opportunity to exchange information about events and people, and then the one Japanese Deaf person in my area told me that there are no other Japanese Deaf in our area and that he can count the amount of Asian Deaf people in the area on his hands. Stuff like this leads hearing people to believe that the Deaf community is very close. I had a hard time believing that my friend knew that there were no other Japanese Deaf people in the area, but then, I figured it must be because the community is tight. Just an explanation for why some hearing people think like that. Though, they also might just be being ignorant and think that because the person is deaf, he must know my deaf neighbor.

Just a side note that may not have much to do with the conversation, the Japanese Deaf friend of mine uses an electronic writing pad from Brookstone, called a Boogie Board to order coffee and do transactions like that. When he and I practice JSL, he'll use the Boogie Board to say something in English and/or Japanese if I'm just not getting it. He said that not many Americans use it, but it's used often in Japan.

Yeah. I don't want to offend anybody if I say something stupid. That's all I'm really cautious about.

 

[shel90]

Even though we all have a similar disability we don't all fit into a stereotypical mold. CI is not an option for me because of my type of hearing loss, my auditory nerves are all screwed up and the world's best CI won't make a difference.

Some people think that being deaf is an identity and that by getting CI's they'll be selling out. Whatever, more power to them. :roll:

I was born HoH and without hearing aids I can't hear anything and yet I don't know how to sign and don't care to either. I want to be able to survive in the "real" world instead of in the deaf world. That's just too isolating for me. (A sideline it gets annoying when a stranger asks me if I know this deaf person nearby as if we're all in a secret club) I can talk and read lips FYI.

I remember going to a deaf summer camp and I hated it because everyday things that hearing people take for granted would take forever. For example, going to 7-11 to buy a coke is no big deal right? Well for those deaf kids they had to have an interpreter with them and when you have an interpreter involved you gotta make a schedule and you gotta take turns with sharing interpreters. What takes you a few minutes takes those deaf kids almost a half hour.

As for me I just went in without even checking with the group, bought a coke, and went back to my dorm and I got in trouble. What a badass eh?

Long story short, the deaf culture is real diverse and we really are just regular folks who happen to have some kind of disability that makes life different. Some deaf people love being deaf and will never try to fix their hearing. Some people think being deaf is a curse and will do anything to fix their problem.

You seem to be trying to understand how to interact with deaf people. So with that my suggestion is to avoid the pity talk and instead treat the deaf like a human being who just needs to sign or read lips to communicate with you.

I have NEVER heard of kids requesting a terp to order cokes at a 7 11. How did they pay for the terp anyway?

A bit of exaggeration there and that's disrespectful.

If u don't like us, Deaf people, just say so but don't make up stories like these to make us look bad. :roll:

 

[A Nihilist]

I have NEVER heard of kids requesting a terp to order cokes at a 7 11. How did they pay for the terp anyway?

A bit of exaggeration there and that's disrespectful.

If u don't like us, Deaf people, just say so but don't make up stories like these to make us look bad. :roll:

It is the truth, the summer camp in question is St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind. And it's not an exaggeration. Even though I could talk and read lips the counselors there said I ought to be signing instead. :roll:

 

[shel90]

It is the truth, the summer camp in question is St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind. And it's not an exaggeration. Even though I could talk and read lips the counselors there said I ought to be signing instead. :roll:

I will ask my friends who went to summer camps from that school when they were kids. All I know is that they don't need terps when they are out and about in society with non signers.


Truth to ge told...the Deaf community is not isolating...how can it be if it is full of people just like the hearing world? We are not bad people who hold people in isolating cells away from the world, u know?

 

[Jane B.]

I have no way of knowing, but it occurs to me to wonder if the terps were employed by the camp and they only had so many to be shared for different things. Thus, the need for scheduling.

Even though we all have a similar disability we don't all fit into a stereotypical mold. CI is not an option for me because of my type of hearing loss, my auditory nerves are all screwed up and the world's best CI won't make a difference.

Some people think that being deaf is an identity and that by getting CI's they'll be selling out. Whatever, more power to them. :roll:

I was born HoH and without hearing aids I can't hear anything and yet I don't know how to sign and don't care to either. I want to be able to survive in the "real" world instead of in the deaf world. That's just too isolating for me. (A sideline it gets annoying when a stranger asks me if I know this deaf person nearby as if we're all in a secret club) I can talk and read lips FYI.

I remember going to a deaf summer camp and I hated it because everyday things that hearing people take for granted would take forever. For example, going to 7-11 to buy a coke is no big deal right? Well for those deaf kids they had to have an interpreter with them and when you have an interpreter involved you gotta make a schedule and you gotta take turns with sharing interpreters. What takes you a few minutes takes those deaf kids almost a half hour.

As for me I just went in without even checking with the group, bought a coke, and went back to my dorm and I got in trouble. What a badass eh?

Long story short, the deaf culture is real diverse and we really are just regular folks who happen to have some kind of disability that makes life different. Some deaf people love being deaf and will never try to fix their hearing. Some people think being deaf is a curse and will do anything to fix their problem.

You seem to be trying to understand how to interact with deaf people. So with that my suggestion is to avoid the pity talk and instead treat the deaf like a human being who just needs to sign or read lips to communicate with you.

I have NEVER heard of kids requesting a terp to order cokes at a 7 11. How did they pay for the terp anyway?

A bit of exaggeration there and that's disrespectful.

If u don't like us, Deaf people, just say so but don't make up stories like these to make us look bad. :roll:

 

[Frisky Feline]

Even though we all have a similar disability we don't all fit into a stereotypical mold. CI is not an option for me because of my type of hearing loss, my auditory nerves are all screwed up and the world's best CI won't make a difference.

Some people think that being deaf is an identity and that by getting CI's they'll be selling out. Whatever, more power to them. :roll:

I was born HoH and without hearing aids I can't hear anything and yet I don't know how to sign and don't care to either. I want to be able to survive in the "real" world instead of in the deaf world. That's just too isolating for me. (A sideline it gets annoying when a stranger asks me if I know this deaf person nearby as if we're all in a secret club) I can talk and read lips FYI.

I remember going to a deaf summer camp and I hated it because everyday things that hearing people take for granted would take forever. For example, going to 7-11 to buy a coke is no big deal right? Well for those deaf kids they had to have an interpreter with them and when you have an interpreter involved you gotta make a schedule and you gotta take turns with sharing interpreters. What takes you a few minutes takes those deaf kids almost a half hour.

As for me I just went in without even checking with the group, bought a coke, and went back to my dorm and I got in trouble. What a badass eh?

Long story short, the deaf culture is real diverse and we really are just regular folks who happen to have some kind of disability that makes life different. Some deaf people love being deaf and will never try to fix their hearing. Some people think being deaf is a curse and will do anything to fix their problem.

You seem to be trying to understand how to interact with deaf people. So with that my suggestion is to avoid the pity talk and instead treat the deaf like a human being who just needs to sign or read lips to communicate with you.

I am with Shel that I have never heard of it before. maybe Are you sure that those kids are normal?? you know?

 

[AlleyCat]

I don't know about this deaf camp in particular, but I do remember when I was at deaf camp (for 6 summers straight) we could not leave the premises without a counselor. (I know there's a difference between counselor and interpreter) but maybe this was along similar lines of having someone with you. ? Perhaps ?

 

[Frisky Feline]

I don't know about this deaf camp in particular, but I do remember when I was at deaf camp (for 6 summers straight) we could not leave the premises without a counselor. (I know there's a difference between counselor and interpreter) but maybe this was along similar lines of having someone with you. ? Perhaps ?

Oh thats right. I remember when I was in the camp and i was not allowed to be on my own, and must have counselor with us out of the camp area. It could be the reason. ah!

 

[A Nihilist]

Oh thats right. I remember when I was in the camp and i was not allowed to be on my own, and must have counselor with us out of the camp area.

we could not leave the premises without a counselor. (I know there's a difference between counselor and interpreter) but maybe this was along similar lines of having someone with you. ? Perhaps ?

Bingo we have winners!

 

[lumiina]

Bingo we have winners!

But at a camp where the majority are hearing kids, those kids still have to be supervised by a counselor off the premise as well. It's a typical thing.

I work at a daycare (which is a younger age group than your camp's age group, I'm sure), and it takes a long time to get everyone's order. One person usually writes it down and just takes it up for us, rather than everyone getting the chance to order. If I'm just babysitting one or two kids, I let them order themselves (good practice). It's just easier that way. Probably would've worked better in this case to just write down everyone's order, but perhaps the kids didn't know what they wanted until they got to the front.

 

[dereksbicycles]

I don't really get the whole need an interpreter thing at 7-11. I agree that it's a counselor thing. Sure, a deaf kid can walk in 7-11, pick a pop from refrigerator, and pay for it without anyone's help.

As for the girl, I'm guessing that the neighbor who have CI does NOT sign at all. Therefore, the girl probably won't bother with signing. I have a car story that I'll save for other threads. Basically, bring the girl to Deaf/deaf events or volunteer with deaf organizations. She'll meet others and realize ASL is needed.