Copyright 2000 The New York Times Company
The New
York Times
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November 7, 2000, Tuesday, Late Edition -
Final
SECTION: Section F; Page 3; Column 6; Science
Desk
LENGTH: 150 words
HEADLINE: Another Option on Deafness
BODY:
To the Editor:
Infant
hearing screening is indeed enormously important ("Early Detection of
Infant Deafness Is Vital," Oct. 31). But a parent with a profoundly deaf infant
reading this column could well come away thinking that the only options
available for the child are cochlear implants or "long-lasting social, emotional
and academic difficulties."
American Sign Language, which is completely
accessible for a deaf child, is another very viable option. Deaf infants exposed
to A.S.L. acquire language, including English, when taught as a second language,
following the same patterns as hearing infants exposed to spoken language.
The tragedy occurs when a parent tries to "fix" a deaf child for years
without success, sacrificing time that could have been used to give the child a
full language experience using American Sign Language.
JENNA F.
BEACOM
Naperville, Ill.
http://www.nytimes.com
LOAD-DATE: November 7, 2000 
