help! CODA - did your parents....

[Audiofuzzy]

... provide for you a special language lessons in your early childhood so you'd learn how to speak well?

I am asking because I got involved in discussion about disability,
and what deaf people can/can not do.
I was told a deaf person can not work as a nanny because mainly she or he can not speak, while it is important for the hearing baby to learn speech.
I am of position that no, it is not necessary a job requirement for a nanny to particularly nurture a baby's speech. It is not in a general job description.

But it could be a special request from a mother who is looking for a nanny,
then indeed a deaf nanny may not be a best candidate. Otherwise a deaf nanny could as good as anybody else.

one of the arguments against a deaf person being a nanny was that a baby needs to be spoken to in order to learn to speak.
I was also told that many deaf parents nowadays provide for their hearing children a special tutors who teach them for many hours how to speak,
so they won't be behind in language development.
I that true? has anyone here ever had such a tutor? I know I didn't, but then I am almost 60 years old, and the thinking was different then.
the only exception is, in early teens I was sent to a language specialist to correct my lisping.
but that had nothing to do with my ability to develop age- appropriate vocabulary.

What do you think, about these two things?

I'll greatly appreciate your input on this.

Fuzzy

 

[Bottesini]

Well, my younger child needed help with speech as she was mostly just around me. The older one developed speech while her father was a student and around more and his speech is much better than mine.

So probably for a hearing child, if the nanny was the one mostly around, deaf wouldn't be the best choice.

 

[SigningTinker]

I was told a deaf person can not work as a nanny because mainly she or he can not speak, while it is important for the hearing baby to learn speech.

Babies benefit from sign language and learning it, however I think it would be difficult for a deaf person to recognize when an infant is screaming or crying. Not saying that they shouldn't babysit, though. I've seen a lot of deaf people who adore children and babies.

 

[rockin'robin]

One of my friends was deaf and she had 2 hearing children...they did not talk at all. And their ASL was limited...she decided to enroll them into daycare with other hearing children....and that helped the children very much with proper speech.

So I would say...if you are a deaf parent and have hearing children, have them interact with other hearing children....Even my own daughter...(hearing), she copied the way I pronounced some words...such as "guarantee"....and it sounded like "gurantee"...not the proper way to speak the word....

Feel a deaf nanny would be ideal for a deaf child, tho'....not so sure for a deaf nanny for hearing children...it would be up to the Parents to make that decision.

 

[Bottesini]

Babies benefit from sign language and learning it, however I think it would be difficult for a deaf person to recognize when an infant is screaming or crying. Not saying that they shouldn't babysit, though. I've seen a lot of deaf people who adore children and babies.

No...

We really aren't stupid. We can tell if a baby is crying. If you mean when out of visual field, there are monitors to alert.

 

[Reba]

No...

We really aren't stupid. We can tell if a baby is crying. If you mean when out of visual field, there are monitors to alert.

Unless they are yawning.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

The case discussed is specifically 'a deaf nanny for the hearing parents of a hearing child'.

I personally believe there is no plm with having a deaf nanny if the baby is in a predominantly hearing environment.
Even if the nanny would be spending with a baby 6-to 8 hrs, there remaining
18-16 hrs the baby is with its hearing parents, grandparents, relatives and friends of a family. there is also a possibility of an educational technological aid like computer audio games, audio-books, inter-actives etc which the nanny could use instead of self to stimulate listening and speaking.

As for not being able to say whether the baby is crying or yawning - you can tell, the difference is distinct. as the last resort you can try by by gently placing a hand on baby chest and/or the throat.
there is also plenty of technology to help, like baby monitor for the deaf parents. you can be alerted to a baby screaming or crying by vibrations or flickering lights.

baby crying

baby crying 2

baby crying?

baby crying!

baby crying pout

now, a yawning baby..

I dare you not to yawn, too

yaaa- whhhhnnn

and yaaaawwwnnnn namnam naaam

yyyyyyyyawnnn


YAAAAARRRWRRNNN!!!!!
(now, wasn't that a one little furious yawn, lololol

sorry I got carried away - the babies are such a cutiepies!

so, to get to the point. but, regarding the CODA who are hearing and grew up with a deaf parents - so what happened when you went o preschool or school after a few years at home with your deaf parents?
were they the only source of a spoken language? were you behind in speech and language development? if yes, how long it took to catch up?

last but not least - and how about 15 months old baby.
is it dangerous to have a nanny for a child of this age?

Fuzzy

 

[Audiofuzzy]

One of my friends was deaf and she had 2 hearing children...they did not talk at all. And their ASL was limited...she decided to enroll them into daycare with other hearing children....and that helped the children very much with proper speech.

How about other family members? also deaf?
and how about parents involvement in developing the children speech in other, artificial ways - like,
didn't they try for example to use some interactive audio toys, audiobooks, let them watch educational Sesame Street and other programs that try to make children repeat what they say?

Fuzzy

 

[rockin'robin]

How about other family members? also deaf?
and how about parents involvement in developing the children speech in other, artificial ways - like,
didn't they try for example to use some interactive audio toys, audiobooks, let them watch educational Sesame Street and other programs that try to make children repeat what they say?

Fuzzy

She lived alone w/her children...her sister was deaf also and no parents (dead)...Her friends were deaf also...basically she was immersed into the deaf world...I do not know about your other suggestions that she could have/would have tried....but I still feel that hearing children w/deaf parents need to be interacted with other hearing children.....Same as for deaf children...best they are interacted with deaf children...but not 100%....

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Oh, I agree - a hearing children do need to find ways to be immersed in a hearing world any way possible.
No wonder your friend's kids didn't speak - no chances to "how".

But I think a deaf nanny wouldn't hurt if otherwise a child is growing up in a hearing environment.

Fuzzy

 

[SigningTinker]

No...

We really aren't stupid. We can tell if a baby is crying. If you mean when out of visual field, there are monitors to alert.

No, I never said I thought you were stupid. I meant in a visual sense, as if the child was in a crib.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Does anyone know - or of- deaf nanny?

Fuzzy

 

[shel90]

Does anyone know - or of- deaf nanny?

Fuzzy

My son was cared by a deaf nanny from birth to 3 years old. He is 10 and has no speech delays. Of course, I put him in speech therapy when he was showing signs of speech delays but within two years he has caught up. Yes, he is fluent in ASL. Reads and writes above grade level. I believe that by being bilingual , he had an advantage.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Thanks, Shel.
was she a certified nanny? how did she got her diploma, without a problem?
or she had to fight for it?

Fuzzy

 

[shel90]

Thanks, Shel.
was she a certified nanny? how did she got her diploma, without a problem?
or she had to fight for it?

Fuzzy

She has a degree from Gallaudet in child development.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

I see. Thanks

Fuzzy