Thank you, Shel. I've beat the drum for ASL, because, it needs to be put out there. Spoken language seems to be the "default" hearing parents will go to when bringing up a deaf baby because of the advice they receive from the medical community. However, yes, I promote both ASL and spoken English.
I don't get why people are all torqued out about my viewpoints. Well, I DO get it, but we won't go there again. It's already been said and resaid.
And, I'll say yet again....
I'm for:
1. ASL (or hell, lets just say sign if it will make people feel better! ASL, PSE, SEE, whatever...I'm for it!)
2. A full toolbox approach (spoken language, sign language, ect).
3.Cochlear implants.
I'm against:
ORAL ONLY! Period.
And, to answer your question. No, it won't. What will hold a child back is a language delay. Also, what happens IF the cochlear implant doesn't work or the kid isn't a candidate for the CI?.
The CI works for the majority, but it doesn't work for all. There will always be someone the CI doesn't work for. Then, what is that person supposed to do? They probably will learn to sign, right? The problem is, time has passed and it becomes harder to learn a language as time goes on. So, why not just learn ASL from the jump and get a head of the curve?
