Speech pathologists and the deaf community are struggling with a difficult issue

Question

Speech pathologists and the deaf community are struggling with a difficult issue regarding language development: Should hearing- impaired children be encouraged to learn American Sign Language (ASL) or should oral language be emphasized? Children with hearing impairments can develop language skills through ASL that parallel those of hearing children in both content (i.e., the elements of language) and timing. However, mastery of ASL may segregate them from the hearing community. Conversely, acquiring oral language skills is very difficult for many hearing-impaired children. What form of language should hearing-impaired children be taught?

Explanation / Answer

Oral language along with American Sign Language can be taught to hearing impaired children. Oral language can be taught by giving extra time and effort. But teaching oral language through Total Communication is most beneficial to these students as it is helpful in effective communication with parents and peers. These children can be taught to speech reading, writing, signs, pictures or any other forms of clues to pick up the information.

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